Blegen Library

Blegen Library, once the University's Main Library, was deemed too small in 1963 for the University's growing collection and enrollment. The Main Library's collection moved to Langsam Library in 1978. After this move, the building was renamed Blegen Library and was renovated and reopened in 1983, housing the Archives and Rare Books Library, the College-Conservatory of Music Library, the Classics Library, and the Curriculum Resources Center (now the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, or CECH library in Teacher’s College). The year 2005 marked the 75th anniversary of the former Main Library, now Blegen, and the 110th anniversary of University Libraries. The renovation of the Main Library created a drastically different interior.[1] Previously, there was a large, grand, open entrance hall to the library. Upon renovation, this space was divided into numerous floors to allow for multiple divisions of the building, not just one library. Fortunately, “the beautiful architectural details were preserved and cleaned.”[2] There are statues, chandeliers, carvings, inscriptions, and decorations found inside and outside the building.

A Glimpse into the old Main Library:

Main Library, ca. 1970

Courtesy Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati

"This view is of the entrance showing the goddess Minerva surrounded by symbols of wisdom such as sunbursts, five-pointed stars, keys to knowledge, dolphins, owls, and roses."[3]

Courtesy Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati

These contain inscriptions in Latin and other foreign languages, scenes representing modern civilization, knowledge, and the importance of learning: “Pylons held reliefs of the notable printers of the ages like Johannes Gutenberg, Aldus Manutius, William Caxton and Benjamin Franklin. Bronze window grills displayed printer's marks, and each bronze chandelier inside the library contained in a foreign script a proverb on the importance of learning.”[4]

Main Reading Room, ca. 1970

Courtesy Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati

Pylon of Ben Franklin

Courtesy Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati

The grand staircase that once led from the lobby of the Main Library to the circulation desk and main reading room was kept, and now leads to the CCM library.

Circulation Desk, ca. 1970

Courtesy Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati

Carl Blegen

Courtesy Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati

Carl Blegen, the building’s namesake, is known and respected for his groundbreaking archaeological findings in Troy and Pylos. Blegen is also known for developing modern scientific methods in archeology. UC earned a reputation around the world as a research institution, largely due to the archaeological excavations of Carl Blegen and others in the Classics department. Blegen had a “single-minded driving ambition…to uncover the ancient civilizations,” indicated by the fact that he listed the University of Cincinnati as his “office,” and “‘9 Plutarch Street, Athens 9, Greece’ as his ‘home.’”[5] His tremendous findings include the palace of Nestor, a King who played a part in the Greek siege of Troy; and Linear B writing tablets, which were evidence that Greeks of that time could read and write. Blegen wrote multiple books relating to archaeology, and contributed much to the University of Cincinnati. After studying and receiving degrees at multiple notable institutions, including a Ph. D. from Yale, Blegen went on to work at the American School of Classical Studies, followed by 30 years at UC as a professor of classical archaeology from 1927 until 1957 and the head of the Department of Classics during 1950 to 1957. Carl Blegen died at the age of 84 in 1971 in a Greek hospital.[6]

Endnotes

1. Paul Bennett, University of Cincinnati: An Architectural Tour, New York: Princeton Archival Press, 2001.

2. “Blegen Library at 75 Years: 1930-2005 - Celebrating a heritage of Books and Learning,” 2005, Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati, (accessed October 5, 2011), http://www.libraries.uc.edu/libraries/arb/

archives/exhibits2/blegen

new/BLEGEN~1_files/frame.htm.

3. Ibid.

4. Kevin Grace and Greg Hand, The University of Cincinnati, Montgomery, AL: Community Publications, Inc., 1995, 107.

5. "Carl Blegen Dies; Archeologist, 84," New York Times, August 26, 1971.

6. Ibid.

All images Courtesy Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati.