Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Grainger Engineering Library Symposium [PAGE 15]

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JEANNE HURLEY

SIMON

ON

C H A I R P E R S O N , U.S. N A T I O N A L C O M M I S S I O N L I B R A R I E S AND I N F O R M A T I O N S C I E N C E

Opening the new Grainger Center is a major event for this university,forthe state of Illinois, andforour nation. The new engineering library reflects a partnership between the university, government, and industry to serve the public interest. The Grainger will, I predict, become a flagship for the 21st century — a century that will be defined by knowledge-intensive industry and collaboration. I like the following quote from the dedication brochure: "In the building plan of the greater University of Illinois, we hope that there will be included a design of an Engineering Library... The need... has been noticed by many... A library of this kind should not only have ample spacefor bookracks but alsofor filing cabinets for blueprints andfor photographs of minor as well as ofgreat engineering accomplishments. The atmosphere of such a library would be more conducive to hard work... especially in the evening. The needfor our library is apparent " The need was apparent in 1918, when this passagefirstappeared in the Technograph. Back then, the editor, C.H. Clarahan, did not anticipate that the design of the new engineering library would

Jeanne Hurley Simon is a native of Illinois, a graduate of Northwestern Law School, and a former member of the Illinois General Assembly who has spent most of her life helping individuals and institutions. In 1993 President Clinton appointed her to chair the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Informanon Science, an independent commission charged with advising the President and the Congress on matters related to libraries and information services In every administration intelligent, well-meaning persons are appointed to head commissions, giving advice in areas in which they have little or no knowledge or experience. This appointment was refreshing, even inspired, for identifying someone with a long record of advocacyfor libraries and the public's interest in them.