The Church History Library has been open to the public for a month now. Here is my evaluation of how the library is working from the standpoint of a researcher. This is written in ignorance of how the past month would be evaluated by administrators, staff, or the curious public – it reflects only my judgment as a patron.
Appearance: A
The building is as impressive as ever: The landscaping, the approach to the doors, the soaring ceilings and natural light and window views are beautiful. I haven’t yet started taking for granted the first exciting view of the reading room from the lobby. Everything about that view says “Our history is important, and we are engaged in serious business here.”
Continue reading Church History Library: First Month Report Card →
The new Church History Library was dedicated this morning (Saturday, June 20), between 11:00 a.m. and noon.
After the last of the open houses and tours concluded late Thursday evening, workmen removed the display cases holding samples of the materials archived in the library, and carried away all the tables and chairs from the two reading rooms, and all the furniture from the lobby. They erected a raised platform at the north end of the main library reading room, with its podium placed so that everyone in that room and most in the lobby could see it. They moved in an organ, and hooked up speakers and television lighting and large flat-screen televisions in all three rooms so that no matter where guests were seated, they could see and hear. Then they filled all three rooms with chairs, enough to seat several hundred guests.
Continue reading Church History Library Dedication →
Where our past is never very long ago