Hesburgh Library: Early Vision to Dedication

Revs. Theodore M. Hesburgh and Edmund P. Joyce looking over an architectural model map, planning the expansion of campus, c1960. Photo by Bruce Harlan.

Cover of fundraising brochure for Hesburgh Library, c1961.

Pioneer Magazine, a publication of the Library Bureau, page 14 of fundraising brochure for Hesburgh Library, c1961. This page discusses Notre Dame's "Intellectual Leadership" by comparing it to other top universities.

Pioneer Magazine, a publication of the Library Bureau, page 7. This page features an interior photograph of the Hesburgh Library Rare Book Room, Spring 1964.

Pioneer Magazine, a publication of the Library Bureau, back cover. Layout of the first floor of the University of Notre Dame’s new Memorial Library.

Memorial Library Architectural Drawing Cross Section, 1962. Ellerbe and Company Architects.

Memorial Library Architectural Drawing Roof Plan, 1962. Ellerbe and Company Architects.

Watercolor interior view of the proposed Memorial Library Penthouse Lounge, c1960s.

Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, blessing the construction site of the Memorial Library, August 1961.

Workers beginning construction of the building on the cleared land on the site of the new building, 1961. Notre Dame Stadium is in the background.

Workers laying the foundation of the building, 1961. In the background are O'Shaughnessy Hall and the demolition of Navy Drill Hall.

Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh CSC, signing an I-beam for the “Topping Out” Ceremony, 1962. At left is Pat Corrie, construction superintendent. The inscription included Hesburgh's name and the Latin phrase for "May the Blessed Mother bless us with her wonderful child."

Revs. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, Edmund P. Joyce, CSC, present an American flag to the construction workers during the "Topping Out" Ceremony, 1962.

An American flag is being raised to the top beam during the “Topping Out" Ceremony, 1962

Southeast view of the steel frame on the day of the “Topping Out” ceremony, 1962.

View of the steel frame, July 1962.

Front view of the steel frame, 1962.

Aerial view of the Memorial Library, Radiation Laboratory, and the Computing Center and Mathematics Building, July 1962.

Southeast view of the building close to completion, 1963.

Southwest view of the building close to completion, 1963

Exterior View without the Word of Life Mural, 1963.

View of the Football Stadium and Reflecting Pool from top of the Memorial Library, 1965.

Men (students?) moving books from Lemonnier Library (Bond Hall) to the new Memorial Library in Black Label Beer boxes, c1963.

Men (students?) moving books from Lemonnier Library (Bond Hall) to the new Memorial Library in Black Label Beer boxes, c1963.

Aerial view of campus showing the Memorial Library without the Word of Life Mural, 1963.

Artist Millard Sheets overseeing the creation of the full size “cartoon” of the Word of Life. Each small section of the mural represent a specific piece of granite in color and texture, c1962. Sheets received an Honorary Degree from the University during the Dedication Ceremony, May 7, 1964

A group looks at a mockup of the mural in Minnesota for the Word of Life Mural, c1962

Workers (including Mrs. Hertel) are comparing the cast panels to colors per stone samples for the Word of Life Mural, c1962

Mining the stone for the Word of Life mural from a quarry in Minnesota, c1962.

Close up of the Head of Christ layout. Etha-foam in place and at least one anchor for each of the 115 pieces used, c1962

Men working to assemble the pieces of the head of Christ, c1962.

Workers in Minnesota pose with a cast panel. Artist Millard Sheets is second from the left. c1962

Memorial Library Mural Head of Christ Installation, c1964.

Exterior view with scaffolding around the Word of Life Mural, c1964.

Exterior view of the Word of Life Mural with a tarp covering it, c1964.

Cover to the Notre Dame Memorial Library Dedication, May 7, 1964

Photo and letter written by Pope Paulus VI to Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC on November 19, 1963 for the Dedication ceremony on, May 7, 1964

Letter written by Pope Paulus VI to Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC on November 19, 1963 for the Dedication ceremony on, May 7, 1964

Cardinal Joseph Ritter (center) Archbishop of Saint Louis and Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh (right) bless the building. The blessing followed a Solemn Pontifical Mass and academic convocation earlier in the day, May 7, 1964.

An ROTC color guard in front of the Library during the Dedication ceremony, May 7, 1964

View of the Memorial Library Dedication, May 7, 1964

Phil Faccenda, President and Member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh standing in the Library, c1964.

All in one image of Pope Paulus VI and letter to Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh