Yale University Library: Sterling Renovation-Project Scope

Scope and Rationale of the Phase I Renovation

Between 1995-1998, Yale University undertook the first comprehensive renovation of its 65-year-old Sterling Memorial Library, one of the most handsome and noteworthy buildings on campus.

Serving as the central library in a research library system that is ranked seventh largest in the world, the Sterling Memorial Library with its collections is one of the world's great repositories of Western civilization. For three centuries, Yale librarians, professors, students, alumni, and friends have drawn these collections together, creating a powerful instrument of learning for Yale students and scholars and the thousands of visiting researchers who use Sterling annually in their quest to understand their history, inform their scholarship, and ignite their imagination. Age, heavy use, and environmental conditions have all contributed to the deterioration of the Sterling Memorial Library and have endangered the collections housed within. Further, a number of Sterling's interior spaces required restoration and modernization to accommodate six decades of changes in user needs, publication patterns, acquisition practices, and technology.

According to historical records, water leakage through the windows of Sterling Memorial Library and sagging of the leaded glass occurred shortly after the 1930 completion of the building. At that time, Yale undertook remedial work to strengthen and repair the leaded glazing.

There is no documentation of any repairs to the library between the window repairs in the early 1930s and the construction of the adjacent Cross Campus Library in the early 1970s. Since the early 70s, several maintenance projects have been undertaken on the library to replace roofs, repair and weatherproof windows, address deterioration of the Wall Street buttresses, replace deteriorated stonework, and repoint the exterior masonry. Many of these repairs have been done on an as-needed basis to address specific problems.

Recognizing its responsibility to ensure the continued strength and vitality of the centerpiece of the Yale Library system, the University authorized the necessary planning for the renovation of Sterling. Nationally regarded for their work on libraries, the architectural firm of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott (SBRA) was engaged to develop an overall master plan for the building's renovation and subsequently to plan and oversee the first phase of this work. While a number of experts were consulted in the course of the planning efforts, critical early survey and testing work was done by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH). The following observations from their 1991 report illustrate the extent of exterior work required in Phase I.

Exterior Walls

The original wall design has led to extensive water penetration, stone deterioration, and damage to interior finishes throughout the building, concentrated primarily around the windows.

The sandstone and limestone trim at window surrounds, water tablets, copings, and detail work is heavily weathered. Much of the intricate detail of carvings has been lost.

Subflorescence has damaged the interior face of the stone severely, and sulphur-based compounds are present within the internal matrix of the stone. In the presence of water, these compounds will further deteriorate the stone and continue to reduce its resistance to water penetration.

The core of the wall is damp in most areas. This has caused some minor deterioration to the brick and mortar of the wall. This water entry is the result of the lack of internal (e.g., through-wall flashings) and external (e.g., metal copings, obverhangs, etc.) protection to the wall. This has resulted in deterioration of the stone and mortar, particularly at projections such as buttress caps, watertables, and copings.

Windows

The windows are highly permeable to air and water; water enters both through and around the windows.

The exterior "storm" glazing and remedial weaterstripping installed in 1981 have reduced air infiltration substantially in most windows and has virtually eliminated water leakage through the window. Water penetration around the window frames is still active and substantial; such water entry is causing damage to stone, interior finishes, and interior property.

Most windows operate properly or can be made to do so with adjustments and minor hardware replacement. Some windows have extensive damage to hinges, operators, latches, and sashes, particularly in the high-use areas of the Stack Tower.

Roofing Systems

Many roofs have failed and require replacement (this could safely be phased over the next 5 years) to keep the building watertight.

Immediate repairs are required to address defects in the roofs that currently permit water entry to the building. These are stopgap repairs, designed to keep water out while permanent repairs are designed and implemented. These stopgap repairs may have to be repeated several times in the same location in the period between their implementation and completion of a permanent solution.

The building has several design defects, particularly concerning terminations of metal roof flashing, that are repeated throughout the structure.

Phase I Renovations

Renovation needs that were addressed during Phase I included: creation of a proper environment for book preservation; replacement of aging roofs and mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems in the book stack; safety improvements and improved access for persons with disabilities; and restoration of a limited number of public spaces, including the Starr Main Reference Room, the Franke Family Reading Room (for periodicals), the Memorabilia Room, the Cowles Reference Center in Manuscripts and Archives, the Exhibit Corridor, and the American Studies Reading Room.

Without question, the most important component of the renovation work was the introduction of environmental controls in the book stack. Housing well over one-third of the Library's collection, the 16-level book stack now provides the proper environment for the preservation of paper. At the same time this Phase I renovation work was being done, the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library was built in a light court of SML.

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