Architectural History of Sterling Memorial Library

Entrance and Nave

High Street entrance to Sterling Memorial Library

High Street entrance to Sterling Memorial Library, circa 1932

The main entrance to Sterling Memorial Library is located on High Street. Two arched doorways divided by the figure of a Mediaeval Scholar welcome students, faculty, researchers, and visitors alike. The stained-glass windows that sit above the doorways give the impression of walking into a gothic cathedral, not a modern academic research library.

Over the years, the exterior to the High Street entrance has remained largely unchanged. Roadways have turned into walkways, and in 1993 the Women’s Table sculpture, designed by Maya Lin (BA 1981, M.Arch 1986) was installed, but overall, the building has been maintained to keep its original appearance and indeed, Rogers' original intent: to honor and highlight the history of learning and education.

Sterling Memorial Nave, circa 1932

The sense of stepping into a gothic cathedral is no greater than when first entering into the nave. The high vaulted ceiling, surrounding ornamentation and stained-glass windows, and stone walls remind visitors of Rogers' reverence to academia and higher learning.

Large stone columns on either side guide the visitor’s eyes all the way to the end of the Nave where the Alma Mater portrait hangs above the old circulation desk and entrance to the stacks. But before we depart on our tour, let’s first take a moment to consider the stone reliefs that sit above the bays that line both sides of the nave. 

Sterling Memorial Library commemorative relief of "Pledging the Books."

Decorative reliefs can be found throughout the library. Along both sides of the nave, above the stone columns, are commemorative reliefs that tell the history of Yale University Library. The reliefs were designed by Rene P. Chambellan and are made of Indiana and Briar Hill Sandstone (Gazette, 91-92).

This image shows a plaster model of a relief depicting Jeremiah Dummer’s 1714 gift of books to Yale Library. Dummer’s donation of over 800 books included gifts from Sir Isaac Newton, Richard Steele, and Elihu Yale, and was instrumental in forming the library’s collection.  

Sterling Memorial Library Nave, 2021