It was in 1918 that an official announcement was made that was to bring significant transformation to the center of the Yale campus. John William Sterling, a wealthy Yale alumnus, had bequeathed $17 million with the only stipulation that Yale build “at least one enduring useful and architecturally beautiful edifice, which will constitute a fitting memorial of my gratitude to and affection for my Alma Mater.” At the time, University Librarian Andrew Keogh was coping with a collection that had doubled in size since 1905 to over one million volumes, and happily Yale decided that the principal memorial should be Sterling Memorial Library. 75 years later, preparations are now underway to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Sterling Memorial Library and the foundation of the ‘Yale Library Associates’ who were also formed that same year.

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Location: SML

Start Date: 08/22/2005