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Library Legends
Once They Finish the Ceiling… There is an urban legend that somewhere out there is a parking garage that looks like a library. Die-hard conspiracy theorists are convinced that the blueprints for the Auraria Library were intentionally switched. Others claim that on the day the library ceiling is finished, the Broncos will once again win the Super Bowl. People have been waiting 30 years for the ceiling to be done. In actuality, the raw concrete and exposed ductwork which characterize the Auraria Library are hallmarks of the Industrial High Tech Style of architecture. The library was designed by the famous architect, Helmut Jahn who won a prestigious award for his work. Mr. Jahn returned to Denver long enough to accept the award and, wisely, left town immediately thereafter, never to be seen again.
Sex and The Library There is a common misperception that libraries are boring, soporific places. The September, 1977 “Campus Issue” of Playboy Magazine awarded honorable mention to the Auraria Library. The private second floor study rooms were named “best place on campus to have sex”. Just in case you were thinking about a study break, those rooms have been turned into faculty offices and the new study rooms have no locks thanks to Playboy.
Photo at right: 11th and Lawrence Streets circa 1880, site of the current day Auraria Library
Library Ghosts For whatever reason, libraries seem to attract ghosts. I encountered a notable one while working at the old Westminster Library. The staff offices and a reading room were located in the basement. Since we had been having trouble with the public using our staff computers, we put a note on the office door which read, “Keep this door closed at all times.” One evening shortly before closing, I was alone in the basement office when the door slammed shut. I do not mean the door was off plumb and swung shut. It was as though a large and very angry person had taken hold of the knob with both hands and yanked with all his or her might. I immediately jerked open the door to see who did this and found the reading room outside empty. There was no way anyone could have sprinted to the stairs that quickly nor was there anyplace to hide in the open reading room. I can only conclude that it was a ghostly stickler for rules who felt the closed door sign should be obeyed at all costs. And yes, apparitions have passed through the Auraria Library as well… but that is another story for another day...
A Library Crime Long before full-text journals were available electronically, libraries archived back issues on microfilm and microfiche. The oldest films were sheets of plastic coated with silver halide gel on which the image was imprinted. Eventually, of course, the silver tarnished, making the film even harder to read. Another unusual fact about the Auraria Library is that it was designed and built completely without air conditioning. Mr. Jahn’s design had many windows for ventilation. Unfortunately, they all had to be bolted shut because patrons were stealing books by throwing them out the windows. One hot, summer morning the Periodicals Librarian arrived to find the microfiche drawers filled with viscous, slimy goo. The police were called since it was believed that some heinous act of vandalism had been perpetrated. As it turned out, the building got so hot, the gel melted right off the plastic. Air conditioning was later installed.
photo: Auraria Library construction 1975
Almost Famous Librarians
Past and present staff of the Auraria Library include:
A Denver Broncos Cheerleader
Happy the Clown
A stand-up comedian
A spy
(Photo: a gathering of Denver librarians circa 1890.
Photo credits Denver Public Library)
Sex and The Library There is a common misperception that libraries are boring, soporific places. The September, 1977 “Campus Issue” of Playboy Magazine awarded honorable mention to the Auraria Library. The private second floor study rooms were named “best place on campus to have sex”. Just in case you were thinking about a study break, those rooms have been turned into faculty offices and the new study rooms have no locks thanks to Playboy.
Photo at right: 11th and Lawrence Streets circa 1880, site of the current day Auraria Library
Library Ghosts For whatever reason, libraries seem to attract ghosts. I encountered a notable one while working at the old Westminster Library. The staff offices and a reading room were located in the basement. Since we had been having trouble with the public using our staff computers, we put a note on the office door which read, “Keep this door closed at all times.” One evening shortly before closing, I was alone in the basement office when the door slammed shut. I do not mean the door was off plumb and swung shut. It was as though a large and very angry person had taken hold of the knob with both hands and yanked with all his or her might. I immediately jerked open the door to see who did this and found the reading room outside empty. There was no way anyone could have sprinted to the stairs that quickly nor was there anyplace to hide in the open reading room. I can only conclude that it was a ghostly stickler for rules who felt the closed door sign should be obeyed at all costs. And yes, apparitions have passed through the Auraria Library as well… but that is another story for another day...
A Library Crime Long before full-text journals were available electronically, libraries archived back issues on microfilm and microfiche. The oldest films were sheets of plastic coated with silver halide gel on which the image was imprinted. Eventually, of course, the silver tarnished, making the film even harder to read. Another unusual fact about the Auraria Library is that it was designed and built completely without air conditioning. Mr. Jahn’s design had many windows for ventilation. Unfortunately, they all had to be bolted shut because patrons were stealing books by throwing them out the windows. One hot, summer morning the Periodicals Librarian arrived to find the microfiche drawers filled with viscous, slimy goo. The police were called since it was believed that some heinous act of vandalism had been perpetrated. As it turned out, the building got so hot, the gel melted right off the plastic. Air conditioning was later installed.
photo: Auraria Library construction 1975
Almost Famous Librarians
Past and present staff of the Auraria Library include:A Denver Broncos Cheerleader
Happy the Clown
A stand-up comedian
A spy
(Photo: a gathering of Denver librarians circa 1890.
Photo credits Denver Public Library)
Goodnight, Helmut, wherever you are…
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TobeyStein |
Latest page update: made by TobeyStein
, Feb 3 2009, 6:51 PM EST
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Keyword tags:
architecture
Auraria
ghosts
Helmut Jahn
Industrial High Tech
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