In 1904, the Grand Rapids Public Library moved into its permanent location in the Ryerson Building at 111 Library Street. Andrew Carnegie originally offered a pledge for construction, but withdrew after learning local philanthropist, Chicago lawyer, businessman, and art collector Martin A. Ryerson stepped in with cost assistance to support the community where he was born.
Ryerson retained Boston architects Shepley, Rutan, and Cooledge, who had recently completed the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Art Institute. Their firm succeeded the practice of the legendary Henry Hobson Richardson and still exists today as Shepley Bulfinch, one of the oldest architectural firms in continuous practice.
Originally named the Ryerson Library, the library was designed in the classical, Beaux-Arts style as taught in Paris, embraced by most American architects at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The symmetrical exterior is constructed of a rusticated Bedford limestone base and features massive arched windows.
A festooned entablature establishes a ‘base, column, capital’ rhythm of this expression derived from Greek principles. The original lobby and atrium showcase the Italian Carrara marble staircase, intricate molding, and detailed cornices. During the day, the room is lit by the restored original skylight, and at night the beautiful chandelier bowls create illumination.
By 1959, the Library Commission knew an addition was necessary from the heavy demands on school and library resources. By 1961, planning had begun with the Grand Rapids architectural firm of Robinson, Campau and Crowe. Their renderings suggested a 4-story addition which would complement the classical style of Ryerson and was completed in 1967.
There were originally intentions to demolish the Ryerson Building to expand the new addition into its place. This approach was common throughout America pre-1976 and started the historic preservation movement influence on American architecture. We think of this today as altogether unimaginable, as the thinking now is that nothing is more sustainable than the re-use and preservation of historic structures and buildings.
For the restoration of the Beaux-Arts structure, lead architect Malcolm Holzman and the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission wanted to establish the project as the “gateway to the library: treasures beyond.”
With having a national reputation for library renovations, Hardy, Holzman and Pfeiffer Associates of New York were chosen as the lead architects for the project, with assistance from local architects Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr and Huber. The restoration project focused on making sure the two structures fit together more cohesively.
An additional gift of $1.2 million from the Keeler Foundation enabled the architects to incorporate distinctive towers into the building’s exterior, with the addition being completed in 2003.
Tom Genson, former assistant Library Director and Project Manager captured the city-wide attitude that had motivated themselves to improving the library and its services. “What’s wonderful about libraries,” he said, “is that they’re not a gift to anyone. They’re a gift to everyone.”
Photographs and research by Robert Daverman, AIAE. Content sourced from A Free Library For Everyone – The History of The Grand Rapid Public Library by Gordon L. Olson.