L'Héritage Spirituel et Architectural de la Bibliothèque McFarlin
Throughout The University of Tulsa’s history, The University has embraced the importance of a library to the academic community. En ce qui concerne l'origine du projet, Robert M. McFarlin and his wife, Ida Mae Barnard McFarlin, donated the structure as well as the book stacks and the furnishings. Il est notable que McFarlin, a successful Tulsa oilman and rancher, was well known for his contributions toward church and educational memorial buildings.
Une Architecture Inspirée du Sacré
The new Library, standing at the head of the “U”, was designed by Henry C. Hibbs, a Nashville architect, and built by Bellows Construction. Sur le plan technique, the building was constructed primarily of sandstone and limestone with no steel frame and 15-24” thick walls of solid stone. L'aspect esthétique est unique car l'édifice featured leaded cathedral glass windows with stained glass medallions. De plus, Acousti-celotex ceiling tiles with stenciled designs of starry night skies decorated the spaces between the beams of the ceilings in these rooms.
Une Mission de Sagesse et d'Impartialité
At the groundbreaking for the new library on May 3, 1929, John Rogers, a University Trustee, stated, “This building will be probably the most important on the campus for it is in reading and in books that our finest wisdom is stored.” Lors de la dédicace, guest speaker J. L. Rader, University of Oklahoma Librarian, proclaimed, “The library is the only unbiased force left in the world. The library is the only place where one in quest of knowledge may go and pursue his studies without outside influences being brought to shape...”
Tableau des Repères Historiques
- 1894 : The first need was scholarships — $100 would pay all expenses for one student for one year.
- 1901 : By 1901, the Library—a room in the administration building—contained 1,200 books.
- 1928 : By 1928, The University of Tulsa had 16,000 books and was in desperate need of a dedicated facility to serve the student population.
- 3 mai 1929 : Groundbreaking for the new library.
- 1er juin 1930 : Dedication of the building.
