Clark Library Grand Reopening Celebration

Please join us at UCLA’s William Andrews Clark Memorial Library as we celebrate our grand reopening. After being closed since April 2015 for a seismic retrofit and book storage expansion project, the Clark Library will be formally reopened to the public. With guided tours of the library’s new and refurbished spaces, highlights from the rare book and manuscript collections, a comprehensive exhibit of the building’s history, and fun activities for the entire family on the grounds, we plan for an exciting 1920s-themed event to honor the building’s history.

Lawn games, refreshments, and other surprises will be offered throughout the afternoon. The Library will also offer a “Living History” activity: History comes alive in the collaboration between libraries and their visitors. Audiences can try their hand at deciphering historical handwriting from the 18^th century to Oscar Wilde. We’ll also have a librarian costumed in a reproduction of a 17^th-century Wenceslaus Hollar print, who will share her insights with visitors about the material culture of the past and its influence on the present day.

1:00 p.m. — Event begins; first floor of the library and exhibition open for viewing
1:40 p.m. — Remarks and Pavilion ribbon cutting ceremony

Speakers:
Helen Deutsch, Director
Anna Chen, Clark Head Librarian
Poem recited by Maximillian E. Novak, Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Special guests

2:00 p.m. — Tours of highlights from the rare book and manuscript collections in the new and refurbished spaces
4:00 p.m. — Event concludes

Please note: Spaces are limited for the collection tours, and will be filled on a “first come, first served” basis. Other collection tours will be offered in the near future. If you are interested, please email clark@humnet.ucla.edu for more information.

Important Parking Information
There is very limited free parking at the Clark Library. Since we expect large crowds, we highly encourage guests to carpool, use public transportation, taxis, or rideshare services for their journey to the library. Map and directions to the Clark Library.

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What Work Has Been Done at the Clark Library?

The Clark Library closed in 2015 for a seismic retrofit that also necessitated construction of a new entrance Pavilion with an elevator in order to provide additional access to the reading room downstairs. Air chillers were relocated to allow space for this new building. Coring work was conducted inside the library, with rebar connecting the roof to the basement level. Inside the library, several new rooms were constructed and remodeled, including a new downstairs entry, orientation room, reading room, Smart Classroom, and a third annex for book storage. Electrical and telecommunications systems and additional infrastructure items have been upgraded to accommodate the new and refreshed spaces.

Additional renovations were also carried out across the grounds and throughout the library’s buildings. In the more modern North Range, the kitchen was refitted and the Maximillian E. Novak Lounge was established to honor the Distinguished Professor Emeritus’ exemplary service to the UCLA and Clark communities.

Conservation work was completed on several items throughout the property during the closure:

Inside: the Allyn Cox vestibule mural, multiple pieces of antique furniture and draperies, the chandeliers, and the English oak floor of the library’s main floor.

Outside: the bronze fountains, stone urns, Eric Gill sundial, and portions of the outdoor reading room.

Special Thanks

We give thanks to these organizations and individuals for their generous support of refurbishment and conservation projects: The Ahmanson Foundation, Catherine Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, Rodney W. Devine, Carol Krause, John Kurtz, Janet and Henry Minami, Bette and Jeffrey Nagin, Monica Salinas, Jackie and Charlie Schwartz, a gift in memory of Dr. Patricia Bates Simun and Mr. Richard V. Simun, Deborah and Lee Walcott, Patricia and Richard Waldron, the West Adams Heritage Association, Roberta and Robert Young, Friends of the Clark Library, and an anonymous donor.

We also wish to thank those who worked tirelessly on the construction, refurbishment, and conservation projects:

ARG – Architectural Resource Group, Inc. – Architects
Walsh Construction Company II, LLC – General Contractor
Best Contracting Services, Inc. – Roofing
Frank & Smith Masonry, Inc. – Masonry
RDC Construction Services– Core Drilling
Sherrin Glass & Metal Inc. – Windows/Glazing
UCLA Capital Programs
UCLA Facilities Management
Sarah Devine of ARG Conservation Services – Conservation of the “Boy with the Shell” and “Undine” bronze fountain figures, and the bronze lantern at the entrance to the Clark Library
Cal Custom Interiors – Oak flooring restoration
Chandelier Services of America – Chandelier and lighting restoration
Susanne Friend of ConservArt Associates, Inc. – Conservation of Allyn Cox mural in the vestibule
Sculpture Conservation Studio – Conservation of the caryatids and balustrades in the outdoor reading room, the Eric Gill sundial, the stone urns in the east garden and “The Birds” and the “Maid of the Garden” bronze fountain figures
Thomas Rugs – Oriental rug restoration
Alexander & Willis – Furnishing for smart classroom, lounge, kitchen and workroom
System Source Inc. – Furnishings for reading room, lobby, fellows and staff offices

Very Special Thanks to:

Jeanne Schniedewind – Interior Design
The Center and Clark Staff