"...The architect thought of the library as a treasure house of rare books whose presence ought to be emphasized. This led to the idea of housing about 160,000 volumes on six levels within the 35 x 60-foot glass shaft in the center of the building, resting the weight of most of the books on the slab at the building's base rather than on intermediate floors, and providing a central element to help support the roof. The column of books is surrounded by a ground floor and a mezzanine with display cases. A lower level houses offices, a scholars' reading room, and the control desk for mechanical systems. Readers and some offices face a sunken open-air courtyard in the traditional arrangement of a cloister scriptorium."

— from Carol Herselle Krinsky. Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. p141-143, 145.

The Creator's Words

"I think it is one of the half-dozen best buildings I've done in my life. It's the only building I've been involved in that has an emotional impact."

— Gordon Bunshaft. from Carol Herselle Krinsky. Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. p146.

"A bold idea, plus precision, care, and thought make a good building."

— Gordon Bunshaft. from Paul Heyer. Architects on Architecture: New Directions in America. p370.