News
Construction on the Berry Library has progressed substantially since the project began about two years ago -- and The Dartmouth recently had a chance to walk through the interior of what will eventually be a huge expansion of the College's library facilities.
Berry will offer students integrated library and computational services, a wide variety of study spaces, a caf and much more in a facility designed to accommodate the College's information media needs far into the future.
Below is a walking tour of the various features of the College's newest library.
Exterior
The last time most people saw the Berry construction project's exterior, it was still a stark outline of steel and concrete.
Since it acquired its winter shroud, there have been some dramatic changes to the exterior which are being revealed as the tarpaulins are removed one by one.
Although there was controversy over the building's architectural philosophy prior to the beginning of construction two years ago, the building is intended to blend into the campus architectural scheme.
"It is a modern building that takes some of the principles of Baker and translates them," Director of Administrative Services John Crane said.
The bricks which make Berry's walls were matched as closely as possible to those that were used nearly 85 years ago in the construction of Baker.
Even the inset limestone band that circles Berry's wall near the roofline echoes the older library's wooden cornice.
The windows of Dartmouth's newest building are also designed to reflect, but not copy, traditional New England architecture.
The large number of windows that pierce Berry's walls brings to mind buildings like Dartmouth Hall, but their irregular placement and variations in shape emphasize Berry's modernity.
Main entranceway
Berry's main entrance faces north towards Moore Hall and opens off of an arcade formed by a decorative, free-standing wall that runs the length of the building's north face.
Walking along the arcade that will eventually allow passage between the east and west sides of campus, visitors will be able to look through the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the ground floor on Berry's north side and into an area that will contain a caf and seating area.
The caf will serve light snacks and beverages to students who will eat, talk, or study in an environment similar to that found in Collis Caf, with small tables lining the windows, easy chairs, banquette seating and regular tables.
Passing through the main doors, visitors will face an island featuring four BlitzMail terminals.
