Deering Library Main Entrance to Re-Open in June 2012

Staff at Northwestern University Library are working closely with HBRA Architects of Chicago on a project to re-open the west doors of Deering Library as a second main entrance to Northwestern University Library. Completion of the project is scheduled for mid-June--just in time for graduation weekend and what we hope will be an opportunity for the Class of '62, celebrating their 50th reunion, to file through these doors, for the first time since their student days.

The plans to open these doors involve far more than just turning the key and posting a door guard. Glassed-in state-of-the-art entrance and exit vestibules are being constructed to provide for orderly entrance and exit controls--and to keep weather and other environmental factors out. Security will be substantially upgraded--necessary because we plan to be able to use the Deering lobby for exhibits of rare and unique materials. To that end, new, museum-quality display cases are being custom-built by the Small Corporation of Greenfield, MA, an industry leader in equipment for the display, conservation, and storage of works of art and rare, fragile materials. Access to Main Library from Deering is also being upgraded, in anticipation of a full renovation of Deering Library someday when the Deering entrance will be made the principal entrance to Northwestern University Library. Finally, the mall in front of Deering Library will be redone, not only to make it brighter and more inviting, but also to make the entrance accessible to handicapped users, which is not the case presently.

We are all greatly indebted to the family of Deering Library's namesake, Charles Deering, and especially to Nancy McCormick and the Miami Corporation for providing the wherewithal for what promises to be a spectacular improvement to this iconic structure on Northwestern's campus.