The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1909-02-05

of former students comparatively
small, and most of the alumni are still
young people, just starting their life
work, and consequently not financially
able to contribute large amounts.
1t was among the trustees of the
three departments, those Of the uni
versity proper and those of the Rush
Medical college and the divinity school,
that the largest contributions were re-
ceived. Many of the trustees OF
these departments serve on all three
boards. Others are duplicated on two
of the boards. In all "a trustees have
subscribed $4,000, and just recently.
when the desired amount Is $4,000
short of completion, certain OF the
trustees have agreed to contribute the
last $4,000, making the total subscrip-
ton of the trustees $4,000, leaving
$4,000 yet to be raised to complete the
100000 originally planned for the
erection of the building and its main
tenance.
OF the total amount of 100000 the
plans contemplate the expenditure OF
100000 for the building, 100000 to
be set aside as an investment fund, the
returns from which will be used in
the maintenance of the building, and
the extension Of the university library.
The building itself will complete the
original plans, with but slight varia-
tons, of the Midway Plaisance front
age of the university buildings. 1t will
stand on the ground between Haskell
museum and the Law building, and
will be near the middle of the south
frontage.
It's architecture will conform, as do
all the buildings at the university,
with the original homogeneous plan,
simple but distinctive. 1t will extend
three floors above the ground level.
While it's chief function will be that
of library, it will contain also the
executive offices of the university,
which now are In the Haskell mu-
scum.
This change, as well as the removal
of the library from its present quar-
tiers in the University Press building,
! will relieve great deal of the conges-
ton which at present Is something OF
an inconvenience, even with all the
buildings at the great university.
In addition to its exceptional provi-
sions as library building, which, &C.
cording to DR.. Harper's own ideas.
should be the real center of university
| life, 1t will contain a number of class
| rooms. These, too. will make for add
ed comfort and convenience Of both
faculty and students.
When the question Of memorial
building was first preached there were
three propositions. Chief Of these,
next to the plan of library building.
was a memorial chapel. This was the
plan advocated by the religious elei
ment among the supporters Of the
| memorial project. Its appropriateness
was urged on account Of DR.. Harper 8
exceptional accomplishments as stu
dent and author of religious works.
It was eventually decided, however.
after a thorough canvass OF the SEN
/ timent among friends of the late pres
ident, that, inasmuch as his life work
had been upon broadly intellectual
lines, the library building would be
the most appropriate memorial.
DR.. Harper always had maintained
that library should be the laboratory
| of an entire institution such as the
Midway school 1t should be place,
he declared to his closed conf1dants,
where faculty and students could gath
er and commingle.
In conformity with this idea the
new library building will be in reality
the heart of the institution, from
which and around which the life of the
University of Chicago will radiate and
collect.
Another deciding consideration In
the adoption of the library plan as
memorial was DR.. Harper's great love
of books. His own private library was
one of the largest and best in the en-
tire country.