An Iowa State alumnus defended the historical perspective of the Browsing Library at Wednesday’s Government of the Student Body meeting.

GSB is debating the fate of the Browsing Library in lieu of upcoming renovations to the Memorial Union.

Karen Eggert, a 1979 graduate, said historical preservation of any place is important because it helps to retain its value. Eggert, who lived overseas for 11 years, said she learned to appreciate the history behind foreign structures because they were well preserved.

“I’ve noticed in America, we don’t have the values of preserving historical places like other countries,” she said. “When I was living overseas, I saw that historical preservation is a value, and not necessarily because something is used quite often. It’s just because it has meaning and history to it.”

W. T. Proudfoot, the Union’s original architect, had the Browsing Library and the Chapel built beneath the Gold Star Hall, the war memorial, because he felt no one would sacrifice their lives in war without having a foundation of religion and knowledge.

The possibility of relocating or eliminating the Browsing Library and the Chapel came into question when the Memorial Union Board of Directors, through student input, decided to create more room for student offices.

“Just because of a need in more office space, it doesn’t really mean that we need to take away something that’s really of historical value,” Eggert said. GSB President Dan Mangan said the Board of Directors wants to hear student input before finalizing any plans regarding the Library or the Chapel. However, GSB Sen. Matthew Goodman, who is a representative on the board, said it isn’t allowing students adequate representation.

“I don’t feel students have the opportunity to make a compromise,” he said. “This is leadership based on an old-school method and one-side wins.”

According to Mangan, four student representatives from GSB, SUB and the Graduate Student Senate worked in conjunction with RDG Bassard Dikis Associates, an architecture company, since spring semester on two renovation plans, neither of which include keeping the Chapel.

The first plan is to have the Browsing Library moved back against the north wall of the Union ground floor, shrinking its size. The second plan calls for relocating the Library to the first floor, Mangan said.

“Presently, there is no money for the Browsing Library to go upstairs,” Goodman said. He said there is a verbal agreement to eliminate the Library altogether. However, the space wouldn’t be used for student offices, but a “big, fat hallway.”

Mangan said plans are also in the works for relocating the Chapel to the first floor because it would be in a quiet, private place.

“The Chapel would be more oriented toward all religions and more welcoming to all religions,” he said.

Eggert suggested that in order to make room for more student offices while maintaining the location of the two sites, some of the food shops should be eliminated.

“Isn’t it possible to give up a few of those fast food places, make room for some more offices and leave something that has historical value?” she asked. “Nothing is too late until that first hammer is hit.”

Eggert reminded the GSB that student groups will always change, and that future students should have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate what students today and in the past have.