Emerson announced a lead gift of $4 million to the Capital Campaign for the St. Louis Public Library this past Thursday, with the funds designated for a new Locust Street Atrium in the revitalized Central Library downtown. The gift was jointly announced by St. Louis Public Library Executive Director Waller McGuire and Mayor Francis Slay.
The capital campaign for the St. Louis Public Library is part of a $20 million philanthropic effort to support the $74 million total restoration and revitalization of the main library, which is located between Locust and Olive, and 13th and 14th Streets downtown. Central Library will be renewed as a vibrant downtown library center, including double the amount of space for public use, new children's and teen sections, a 250-seat lower-level auditorium and other amenities, including a caf? Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the grand re-opening slated for 2012, coinciding with Central's centennial celebration. Alison Ferring and Tom Schlafly are campaign co-chairpersons.
"The St. Louis Public Library is one of our city's most treasured and valuable assets, and the restoration and modernization of its Central Library is essential to the library's continued success and service to our community," noted Emerson CEO David Farr. "A reinvigorated Central Library also will play an important role in the renaissance of downtown St. Louis. The success of this project is vital to the entire St. Louis region and we are pleased to be able to play a major role in making it a reality."
Opened in 1912, Central Library was designed by pre-eminent American architect, Cass Gilbert, and much of its original infrastructure is still in use today. The restoration will display the best of Gilbert's architecture, while also accommodating increased public use, safe storage and display of the Library's valuable collection, and modern technology used by the Library today. There will be a full retrofit of the building's mechanical and HVAC systems, seismic upgrades, and restoration and cleaning of much of the building's interior features.
Last month, the St. Louis Public Library was ranked #2 in the nation (up from 4th place last year) in the Library Category of the America's Most Literate Cities study conducted by Central Connecticut State University. The study focuses on cities with populations greater than 250,000. This marks the 6th straight year that the St. Louis Public Library has ranked as one of the Top 5 urban libraries in the U.S., a ranking no other library has ever accomplished.
Congratulations to Waller and his outstanding team at the St. Louis Public Library and thanks to David Farr and Emerson for their extraordinary gift. |
