This September, students returned to a new look for one of the most frequented spaces on campus—the Edsel Ford Memorial Library. As the first phase of a multi-part project, the foyer, the Sprole Reading Room, and the second floor of the library have been refurbished.
Although construction began in the summer of 2024, planning for the refurbishments have been in the works for several years. Ms. Cory Stevens, director of the library, has played a significant role in the planning since she arrived at the school in 2021. She said, “I interviewed during Covid, so I didn’t get to see the library at all, and on my first weekend here, I checked it out. I remember thinking, this library has so much potential!” During and after the pandemic, the library saw a dip in usage. Director of Facilities Mr. John Bryant said, “The refurbishments are a way to revitalize the space.”
The planning team, supported by Head of School Mr. Craig Bradley and the Board of Trustees, aims to make some fundamental changes. However, since the library cannot be inaccessible to students for any length of time, refurbishments will be completed in different phases over three consecutive summers. This timeline allows the community to enjoy the new updates without construction interfering with the school’s educational mission. The final phase will be completed for the 2026-27 school year.
One challenge the planning team faced during the refurbishments this summer was the age of the library. Mr. Bryant said, “Because the library was built in 1951, a lot of the old sketches of the space weren’t as detailed as we would have liked. Also, when there’s a renovation in an older space, you always come across some surprises! We found a lot of unexpected infrastructure and wiring behind the walls and above the ceilings that delayed our schedule a bit.”
The foyer sports a new seating area and circulation desk. New lighting fixtures should arrive and be installed soon. New chairs have been added to the adjoining Sprole Reading Room, but the space is still awaiting tables. More major renovations to this room are upcoming in the next two phases of the refurbishment.
The second floor of the library received new furniture and lighting, window treatments, and a glass partition at the entrance for acoustic separation. Bookshelves previously situated in the middle of the space were moved up to the third floor, making room for long tables with built-in plugs for collaborative work and group-study and a lot more natural light. Sixty new chairs were added as well. All three areas were repainted and recarpeted.
The library officially reopened on September 9. Nouri Badrous, ’25, said, “The refurbished spaces have much more of an open feel, and I love the natural light the second floor gets now. The new seating area at the entrance is also really nice. I’ve had a few classes meet there already. That area is a lot more comfortable now for that kind of academic use.” The next phase of the renovations, which will take place next summer, will involve refurbishing the library’s bottom floor.
