Chalmers Memorial Library
From KCpedia
Chalmers Memorial Library is situated just north of Rosse Hall on Middle Path. Completed in 1962, the building has since been extensively renovated and joined with Olin Library. Chalmers was named for Kenyon President Gordon Keith Chalmers, who died suddenly in office at age 52.
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Construction, Dedication and Opening
Construction of Chalmers began in August 1961 and was completed in October 1962. The $1.2 million building was designed by O'Conner and Kilham of New York, and built by John H. Eisele Co., Inc., also of New York, using concrete and steel faced with sandstone.
At the time of its construction, Chalmers had a capacity of 201,000 books, enough space to allow for a 50% increase in the size of Kenyon's collection. On October 28 the building was dedicated in a ceremony featuring famed poet Robert Frost, who provided the address after a brief introduction from President Lund. Frost, Honorary K'45, had been a good friend of President Chalmers and his speech in Rosse Hall was among his last public appearances. Said Frost in his address, "My young friends have been taught to say that we only live in the moment. That library is dedicated to exalt that moment, enrich that moment, and that is what the whole of the humanities is dedicated to." Over 600 guests turned out to hear Frost's remarks.
Shortly before the dedication of Chalmers, the books had yet to be moved, so on October 17, everyone on campus aided in the Moving Day effort. Students, faculty, staff and community members all pitched in by toting books from the Alumni Library to the new building. In total, about 75,000 books in 850 boxes (used multiple times) were carried to Chalmers in about nine hours.
Background
Construction of a new library had been desperately needed for years when Chalmers was finally opened. Books had formerly been housed in the Alumni Library, the building today known as Ransom Hall and used by admissions. When the collection began to overflow in the 1940s, plans were drawn up for a new library, but the Old Kenyon fire of 1949 drained resources. Meanwhile, excess books were scattered across campus, until finally funds were sufficient to consider new plans. Donors were primarily alumni and community members, including a gift from the Rutherford B. Hayes and Lucy Webb Hayes Foundation and Webb C. Hayes III. Webb Hayes gave the gift in honor of his great-grandfather, nineteenth President of the United States and Kenyon Class of 1842, Rutherford B. Hayes.
Renovations
In October of 1986, Chalmers was rededicated in a ceremony following extensive renovations. The ceremony also opened Olin Library, built onto the east side of Chalmers; both were incorporated into one larger building.
Resources in the Kenyon Archives
- Chalmers Memorial Library - collected materials (oversize)
