People of the Humanities Department: John D. Root, Humanist and Historian
By Ralph Pugh (Reprinted from IIT Magazine)go to page: [ 1 | 2 ]
The "Library Fiasco"
A good example of Root's activism, observant nature, and history acumen is found in a file among his papers titled "Library Fiasco." Inside is a neatly typed, single-spaced, three-page "Chronology of the Library Canopy Saga, May–September 1985," in which he recounts the literal rise and fall of a post-Modernist canopy that was briefly installed above the entrance of Galvin Library in September 1985; it was removed within 48 hours after it went up, following protests that the canopy was incompatible with the strictly modern lines and angles of the Walter Netsch-designed building (1962). At that time, IIT had decided to sever its agreement with the John Crerar Library, which was a private library housed in what is now Galvin Library. Root's committee was charged with negotiating the termination of Crerar's tenancy and also discussing "the possibility of structural modifications to allow entrance directly to the main floor of the library" (Root Papers). This idea was dismissed as being unworkable and too expensive.
By the beginning of 1985, Root had learned from campus authorities that the entrance to the library would remain on the ground floor but that a canopy would be erected over it. Under the date "17 May (Friday)," Root wrote, "By chance, I saw drawings in office of David Dowell [library director]. Upset that I and the Planning Committee had no previous knowledge. David told me that the final plan would be complete and contracts let by the following Tuesday. He told me that no one from Crown Hall [IIT College of Architecture] was involved."
Root immediately saw the possible political and aesthetic dangers in modifying one of the university's key Modernist buildings without involving the various stakeholders. "I also expressed amazement that the firm that had actually built the library (I believe Skidmore) had not been consulted," he wrote.
"30 May. I wrote to President Martin about the above, emphasizing that it was imperative to solicit Crown Hall advice since a Miesian building was about to be altered." Root then writes that he was unable to remain in close touch with the key players in the unfolding drama as he and they had "conflicting travel schedules" over the summer months. "The library was out of my mind until 29 August, when Martin asked me to speak at the September 13th dedication."
"3 September (Tuesday). The day after Labor Day, the steelworkers began installing the canopy, and everyone on campus was shocked to see the very un-Miesian yellow, blue, and white beams, suspended by red cable…. That afternoon, Martin holds a meeting of his administrative staff, all of whom express general opposition to the canopy."
A decision to remove the canopy was taken on September 6, Root recorded, and on September 10 it was "removed by nightfall." "11 September (Wednesday): Tribune front page story with color photo. Also in N.Y. Times with photo. Other reporters flock to campus; all disappointed that the canopy was gone. I was interviewed by the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.
"Coda. In all this, my heart went out to the Galvin family. We all played it as straight as possible. As the canopy was coming down, the last pain [sic] was being applied to the interior. Black paint was applied to marred outside steel surfaces and the last letter of Paul V. Galvin's name was place over the entrance at 4:15 p.m. on September 13th. At 5:00 p.m. the open house and touring of the 'new' library began. The black-tied and gowned guests sipped cocktails in the Faculty Club at 6:00 p.m., and the formal dinner in the ballroom began at 7:00 p.m. It was a splendid event, classy and carried off with class. No jokes, only praise for the good we had done for the past two and a half years."
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