Parks Library is more than just a library: it is a historical piece of architecture that has gone through many changes over the past 100 years. On Wednesday, the 100-year anniversary of the original library was celebrated with an hour-long historical informational session, as well as free tours.
“It’s a celebration of art and architecture, all about functionality,” Melea Licht, the communications manager for the library, said. “It’s about adapting services while staying true to the roots.”
There were four presenters at the event. They included Alison Ranniger Van Zante, a curator for the Christian Petersen Art Museum, Sydney Marshall, a curator for art on campus and the Anderson Art Museum, Paul Mankins, a professor of practice in architecture and Hilary Seo, the dean of Parks Library.
“Art has been integrated onto campus from the very beginning,” Marshall said.
According to the slideshow at the informational session, art has been a key part of Iowa State since the university was founded. When the New Deal was implemented during the Great Depression, one of the steps included a vast addition of art. This also affected ISU as it was establishing itself as a top college. Now, ISU holds the two largest murals in Iowa.
“They were meant to harmonize the grant with the historical and educational narrative of Iowa State,” Van Zante said.
Iowa State has also continued to add creative works throughout campus. In 1997, a mural initiative to create a more inclusive environment was established, leading to the addition of multiple murals and statues around campus today.
As for the architectural component of the library, Professor Mankins explained three major additions. The original building was established in 1925 and the first addition was in 1961. Planning for the first addition started in the 1930s, but due to rapid inflation and the onset of the Great Depression, it was decided that the costs were too high to carry out the build.
The plan was later picked up and implemented, essentially doubling the size of the original library. The second addition was then added in 1968, creating a much larger space for the multitude of incoming books, as well as more seating for the students of Iowa State. Finally, the third addition was finished in 1985, which incorporated glass into its architecture.
The glass incorporation was “reflecting the old back into the new,” Mankins said.
The glass on the outside does not touch the original building, allowing them to co-exist and complement each other without invading one another’s space.
Seo said the library is a “vibrant and active space that’s served our community for 150 years,” including the 100 years the current building has been in place.
The university museums will also be celebrating their 50th anniversary in September. Click here for updates regarding events pertaining to the museums.
