They were cramped, poorly lit, and, well, kind of ugly. But Firestone Library’s study carrels still evoke nostalgia in alumni who spent countless hours toiling inside those metal walls.
More than 140 of the two-person lockable carrels have been removed from Firestone as part of the library’s 10-year renovation. Eventually all of the original carrels — there were about 500 when the building opened in 1948 — will be replaced by 500 single-person open wooden carrels with modern lighting and wireless connections.
The new carrels, which will be distributed throughout the building, will not lock or be assigned. Instead, students will be assigned lockable storage units with shelf space comparable to the old carrels that are near the resources they need.
Library staff found in recent years that the carrels were not used enough to justify the “enormous real estate” they required, according to University Librarian Karin Trainer. Currently, 490 seniors and 231 grad students are registered for carrel space, which also includes rooms that hold up to seven people.
A faculty steering committee recommended eliminating Firestone’s carrels, which, if kept, would have needed individual smoke detectors and sprinkler heads to conform to modern building codes.
“They [the locked carrels] just are not appealing to contemporary students,” Trainer said, although alumni frequently have “a sentimental attachment and want to see their carrel” while back for Reunions.
There are no plans to remove carrels from any other campus libraries, all of which have some type of individual study space.
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2 Responses
Bob Ober Jr. ’58
8 Years AgoAnother carrels tale
Can’t resist describing one encounter while working on a senior thesis bearing on the USSR. A classmate (and earlier schoolmate), Arthur Yorke Allen ’58, looked over my shoulder and spied a town named Shitka on a Russian map I had hung in my carrel, one I shared with Dick Carls ’58. “Ober,” Arthur declared, “you’ll probably end up in Shitka!” I traveled to many towns during my seven years in the USSR, but that one town always managed to elude me.
Anonymous
8 Years AgoFirestone’s carrel replacement ‘the end of an era’
The news that Firestone Library has begun replacing its 500 metal study carrels (Campus Notebook, Feb. 8), installed when the building opened in 1948, drew responses from generations of alumni who recalled long hours spent toiling over their research. More comments can be found here.
[node:field-image-collection:0:render]Writing my senior thesis, the unread books piled up on the cramped floor till I could hardly wedge myself in ... my carrel resembled, as much as a carrel could, painter Francis Bacon’s preserved studio in Dublin. Further on, when the library was closed on weekend nights, a group of us English grad students would gather at a secret door and be let into Firestone by a custodian, where we could spend several hours in our carrels, alone in the museum. At least it was a break from the Butler Tract and its explosive kerosene heaters.
FRED WAAGE ’65 *71
Johnson City, Tenn.
Sorry to see the carrels disappear. Mine had a fan to keep it cool and was isolated enough so that I had few distractions (except an occasional classmate who would entertain his girlfriend in his carrel with the lights out and door locked). Very likely, I would not have turned in my senior thesis on time without the solitude of my carrel. Paid off, too: I got an “A” on my thesis. Could one be retained as a reminder of that special time and place?
JACK SIGGINS ’60
Annapolis, Md.
I don’t know if the four-person carrels in Firestone were officially metal. If not, perhaps mine will remain. Excellent study space (nearly offices!), though we did not have typewriters there, never mind something called laptops — or (cell) phones. Probably all for the best! However, carrelmates rivaled roommates, and I recall an onsite wine and cheese celebration after we all turned in our theses!
LINDA FRANCIS KNIGHTS ’77
Hopewell, N.J.
What will happen to the dedication plaques? My father, Frederick M. Heimerdinger ’17, donated a carrel when Firestone was being built.
JOHN F. HEIMERDINGER ’54
Armonk, N.Y.
It took strength of will to descend to the lightless bowels of Firestone and type away in a cold, dented metal carrel. (But sometimes in the spring when the dorms had stereo wars, it was the only place to catch some ZZZs.) And the carrel’s lack of charm did discipline me to work hard and efficiently, so I could escape!
JUNE FLETCHER ’73
Naples, Fla.
Luxury of solitude — could not have done my thesis without retreating to it during Christmas break. It softened the feeling of lonely work on a deserted campus.
JOHN LAGRUA ’52
New York, N.Y.
They were a bit dank, but one could make them cozy little work spaces — I did so with the requisite office supplies, a small lamp, a bulletin board, postcards, and (of course) snacks! Since so few people used their carrel, I always had quiet study time ... a little sad to see them go.
JAMES MISTER ’10
Munich, Germany
Is anyone auctioning them off? Could be an interesting component of an open office.
DORA CHOMIAK ’91 s’91
New York, N.Y.
Learning that Firestone’s metal carrels will be removed brings back fond memories of senior year and C-11-J2. In the spring, our carrel celebrated the completion of theses by hosting a party. We and various friends sneaked food, drinks, ice, and an entire stereo system, piece by piece, past the lobby guard and down to C-floor. Those who remember how big the speakers, turntables, and amplifiers were in those pre-iPod days will appreciate the accomplishment. The night guard, won over with food, drink, and music, indulged us well past closing time.
JIM MARKETOS ’76
Washington, D.C.
They were cramped and a bit creepy, but the desk worked very well for impromptu naps. Whatever would I have done without it? Truly the end of an era.
KATHARINE NORRIS ’86
Washington, D.C.