by Obinnaya Oji
Quick Summary
Walter Library was one of over twenty buildings designed by architect Clarence H. Johnston (1859-1936) for the University of Minnesota.
Building Facts: Walter Library was one of over twenty buildings designed by architect Clarence H. Johnston (1859-1936) for the University of Minnesota. His design legacy is unmatched in Minnesota and includes the Stillwater State Prison (1905); two state reformatories; twenty-two churches; six public schools; many mansions and stately houses primarily in St. Paul. Walter Library was built in 1922/23 at a cost of $1.4million. The architectural style is ‘classical revival’ with its stone and brick exterior, ornamental plaster ceilings and intricate woodwork. It became the University of Minnesota’s main library in 1924. It is located at 117 Pleasant Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455.
The Library is named in honor of Frank Keller Walter, a native of Pennsylvania who was appointed University Librarian in 1921 and held the position until 1943. He participated in the planning of the building and it was named after him in 1959.
From 1999 to 2002, Walter Library underwent a major renovation at a cost of $63.4 million. This renovation involved restoration of major artistic and structural elements of the building. The renovation was designed by the Minneapolis architectural firm, Stageberg Beyer Sachs. More information about this architectural gem set on the Northrop Mall of the University of Minnesota can be found at https://www.lib.umn.edu/walter/building-history.
Collections: The primary content of the building is the library. But it also houses the College of Science & Engineering Dean’s office; the Digital Technology Center; Minnesota Supercomputing Institute for Advanced Computational Research (MSI); Office of Information Technology (OIT); and the Wise Owl Café.
It is the home of the University of Minnesota’s Science & Engineering library collection and associated library services like computers & printing, and the SMART Learning Commons and Library Media Services. Walter Library is a public facility open to all University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff, as well as to members of the public.
Minitex Services: Walter library is the main hub for Minitex Resource Sharing services on the East bank of the University of Minnesota. From our Walter Library office, Resource Sharing staff retrieve and process materials from the Architecture library, Math library, Journalism library, and the Smart Learning Commons. This office, like most Resource Sharing satellite locations, is equipped to retrieve and deliver items to patrons within 24hrs. In the last fiscal year, 5,562 requests were processed by this office.
For more information on Walter Library:
http://www.placeography.org/index.php/Walter_Library,_117_Pleasant_St_SE,_Minneapolis,_Minnesota
http://www.mnopedia.org/person/johnston-clarence-h-1859-1936
