St. Louis Public Library Nears End of Construction Phase

The St. Louis Public Library, Central Library renovation project is nearing the end of its construction phase and excitement is building for the transformative power of the design. The St. Louis Public Library Executive Director Waller McGuire recently penned a piece for the local media updating everyone the project. Here is an excerpt and the article can be read in full here…

“Work on our great Central Library has reached a fever pitch as we near the end of the construction phase of this massive project. Virtually every day another masterpiece is unveiled as the spectacular original stone carvings, bronze doorways, woodwork, alabaster and other original features are restored to their places, carefully renewed.

A renowned painting conservator recently stopped me as we walked under the glowing vaults of Central’s main foyer and said, “You have one of the best examples of Beaux Arts building painting in the U.S.”

The craftsmanship and artistry that created Central Library 100 years ago lives on in St. Louis. The state-of-the-art design, the delicate restoration work, the intricate construction, have virtually all been carried out by St. Louisans. Central is a showcase for the remarkable talents St. Louis holds today. Our region should be very proud.

We are fortunate in St. Louis to have a priceless, historic research collection that modern technology can make useful in entirely new ways. And it will now “live” in a spectacular library with all the tools and possibilities of a 21stcentury library. I look forward to welcoming you back into one of the world’s treasures.