Bok Postpones Final Approval Of a Plan for Pusey Library

President Bok decided last week to delay final approval of the plans for the Nathan M. Pusey Library until February 27.

Bok said late last night that aesthetic considerations necessitated the delay. "We want to consider all the alternatives and serve aesthetic, as well as functional, needs," he said.

Bok revised tentative plans for the library February 15, but decided to "refine certain details" in the plans before approving them, Robert R. Walsh '65, assistant University Librarian for building planning, said yesterday. Walsh refused to say what these details were.

However, Richard G. Leahy '54, associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences for resources and planning, said yesterday that Bok is concerned about "making sure the library's facade does not dominate the Yard." He added that the internal plans of the library are already complete.

The Pusey Library, which is budgeted at $8 million, will be located between Lamont and Houghton Libraries. It will have three levels, but will be entirely underground except for a portion of its top level.

Walsh said that "any new structure in the Yard requires very delicate planning." The Pusey Library will be the first new building in the Yard since Lamont Library, which was built in 1947.

Collections

The library will contain collections now housed in Widener, Houghton, and Lamont libraries. It will have study booths for 30 faculty members and 60 graduate students.

Groundbreaking for the library will take place on June 15, the day after Commencement. Construction is slated to last 20 months, with spring 1975 the target for the opening of the library.