Pius XII Memorial Library, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri

[LIB2507] - This $4 million air conditioned open stack library is the depository of the Knights of Columbus microfilms made of some 11 million pages of the priceless Vatican Manuscripts Collection. This building also contains the 300,000 volume university library, and has facilities for 1 million bound volumes, and an estimated reader capacity of 1500. A statue of Pope Pius XII by the renowned sculptor Ivan Mestrovic dominates the Lindell Plaza entrance to the library. [From the back of the card.]

Whatever happend to?

The Crunden Branch Library, Saint Louis, Missouri? A sad tale of the life and times, and ultimate demolition, of this Carnegie library can be found at the Ecology of Absence site. The story begins, as so many of the Carnegie library stories do, in the early part of the 20th century.

The story also seems to parallel the story of St. Louis and what is valued by its government. Photos accompany the story. Be sure to read this very rich commentary. It could happen in your city or town. Read the story here!