NIMITZ LIBRARY 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The Nimitz Library, officially started in 1968, was completed, accepted, occupied, and totally operational by the fall of 1973.  The following is a chronological summation of the major milestones pertinent to the planning and construction of this facility.

Spring 1969 - The architectural-engineering firm of John Carl Warnecke, F.I.A.A., and George M. Ewing Company was retained as architect and engineering consultants for the Nimitz Library.

Fall 1969 – Funds were approved by Congress for construction of the Nimitz Library.

Summer 1970 – The contract for construction of the Nimitz Library was awarded to the J. W. Bateson Company.

Fall 1970 – The formal ground-breaking ceremony for the Nimitz Library was held.  Present were representatives from the Naval Academy; naval activities in Washington, D.C.; the Maryland Commission on the Capital City; the building contractor; and the architectural-engineering company.

Fall 1971 – The interior design firm of Eleanor LeMaire Associates, New York, New York, was retained to provide services in the areas of furniture selection, design, interior decorating, color coordination, etc.

Spring 1973 – The Library Administrative Office, the Special Collections Division, the Technical Services Division, and the Naval Academy Archives moved to the Nimitz Library.

Summer 1973 – The library collection, the Readers Services Division, and associated equipment were moved to the Nimitz Library.

Fall 1973 – The Nimitz Library was totally occupied and operational for the 1973-74 academic year.

Fall 1973 – The formal dedication of the Nimitz Library was held.  More detailed information on the dedication ceremony constitutes a separate chapter of this report.

Fall 1973 – Mr. Brad Curl, art consultant, was retained to provide a comprehensive art program for the Nimitz Library.

Words cannot describe the experience gained by total immersion in the planning, construction, layout, and furnishing of a facility of this scope; nor is there sufficient time or space to discuss the problems encountered during the years of planning and construction.  It is sufficient to say that each day brought a new problem that challenged the talents of all concerned, and each problem was solved in a spirit of cooperation.  The assistance and cooperation provided by the Public Works Department, U.S. Naval Academy; the Chesapeake Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, D.C.; and the General Services Administration, Washington D.C. was outstanding.  The end result is the Nimitz Library which I believe to be among the finest undergraduate library facilities in the country.  It has been well received by our midshipmen and faculty and has been most favorably critiqued by professional librarians who have visited the building.