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by Tim Fister
Two years ago, Walter Library's lofty reading rooms may have seemed outdated. Intricately carved marble covered with nearly 80 years worth of grime and second-hand smoke contrasted with the steely-clean, angular surfaces of recent construction. In response to structural and technological deficiencies, the University closed the library for a two-year, $63 million renovation. Walter's reopening this semester reveals a state-of-the-art facility outfitted with new computers and wireless Internet access. The dilapidated interior has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. Spotless marble pillars and floors reflect the saturated colors and complex moldings on the ceiling and walls. Greek figures representing the arts and sciences overlooking the reading room still seem ancient, yet no longer obsolete. The same can be said for the library, 78 years after its cornerstone was laid. Remarkably, the Technolog predates Walter Library. Paul Nystrom's December 1922 article describes the original project--the focus of efforts to make the University a world-class institution--in glowing terms. In recognition of the historical significance of Walter Library in the wake of its restoration, we run excerpts of Nystrom's article.
