Emerson Library at Webster University Architecture and History

Library Building History

Webster's first library occupied space in Webster Hall, the original administration building. In 1969, an agreement was signed establishing the Eden-Webster Library on the campus of neighboring Eden Theological Seminary. The two institutions shared space, resources, and staff in the Luhr Library which had been constructed two years earlier. Since the opening of the Emerson Library in 2003, the two libraries now comprise the Eden-Webster Library System.

The decision to build a library on Webster's campus was made in the 1990s. The administration desired a central location not only for the library's collections but also as a common meeting place for intellectual life on campus. With its Cyber Café, Lecture Conference Room, group study rooms, Listening/Viewing area, eCommons, and Faculty Development Center, this goal has been successfully achieved.

Facts and Dates

• Architects: Perry Dean Rogers | Partners Architects, Boston, MA
• Interior Design: Spellman Brady & Company, St. Louis, MO
• Plaza Design: CYLA Design Associates, Oak Park, IL
• Contractor: Paric Corporation in association with Kwame Building Group, Inc., St. Louis, MO
• Emerson Library is named for the Emerson Electric Co.

Dates:

• Groundbreaking: October 30, 2001
• Book Chain: June 30, 2003
• Open: July 1, 2003
• Dedication: September 22, 2003

Construction required:

• 490 tons of steel
• 13 million lbs of concrete
• 95,000 bricks
• 9,000 sq. ft. of glass
• 32 miles of wiring
• 750 data connections
• 35,000 linear ft. of shelving

Total project cost including construction, equipment, furniture and plaza: $21 million
Funded, in part, through the New Traditions Campaign.

Features:

• Square feet: 71, 500
• Floors: 5
• Seating: over 700
• Size of collection: over 200,000 volumes of monographs, rare books, periodicals, videos, and other media

For more information

• Library Hours
• Using the Collection (borrowing, alumni and general public services, special needs (ADA), etc.)
• Facility Information (parking, room reservations, copiers, etc.)
• Computing
• Floor plans