Restored to Glory, Langdell Reopens

The Home of the World's Largest Academic Law Library Reopens After $35 Million Renovation

The Law School's Langdell Hall, the main center for the largest academic law library in the world, with 1.8 million volumes and volume equivalents, has reopened after being closed for a 15-month, $35 million renovation.

A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the reopening will take place Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m., Langdell Main Entrance (facing Holmes Field), 1545 Massachusetts Ave.

The new Library features:

* improved workspace for students and other users

* better space for books

* air conditioning throughout the building and an improved heating system

* new lighting throughout the building, including 54 custom-designed table lamps and 20 chandeliers in the Reading Room

* 1,158 data ports and electrical and data wiring to support student computers

* 99 public computer terminals as part of the Library's expanded electronic research capabilities and improved computer lab

* soft seats and new carrels in the Reading Room and stacks

* nine individual study rooms, three double study rooms, and three group study rooms

* four new, spacious elevators and new, wider stairwells

* additional restrooms throughout the building.

The Library entrance has been moved from the fourth to the main floor of Langdell, where users will also find the Circulation Desk, a computer classroom, microforms, current legal periodicals, and a new public lounge. The Reference Department has more extensive space on the fourth floor. A bridge connecting Langdell (via Areeda Hall) and the Lewis International Legal Studies Center allows Library users to go directly from the fourth floor of Langdell to the fourth floor of the International Legal Studies Library.

The Reading Room on the fourth floor has been restored to its former glory with the removal of bookshelves that covered the 10 x 20 foot windows, the return of the original raised ceiling, the refinishing of the massive tables, and the addition of chandelier lighting. These changes make the Reading Room perhaps the grandest space at Harvard.

In particular, the Library provides a more comfortable environment for people and for books, quicker orientation and easier movement through the building, integrated stack and study areas, greater seating variety with nearly every seat near a power outlet and a network connection, wheelchair access everywhere, and gender equity in the restrooms.