Gazing up at the imposing concrete structure, one might not immediately think “beauty.” But the Joseph Mark Lauinger Library, affectionately known as “Lau” to Georgetown students, is more than meets the eye.
Lauinger Library stands as the main library of Georgetown University. It is the heart of a seven-library system. That system boasts 3.5 million volumes. Inside Lauinger Library, 1.7 million volumes are housed on six floors. Students find space for both individual and group study on every level.
Opened in April 1970, Lauinger Library was dedicated to the memory of Joseph Mark Lauinger. He was a Georgetown alumnus who tragically lost his life in the Vietnam War.
But why this design? The architect, John Carl Warnecke, envisioned Lauinger as a brutalist reinterpretation of Healy Hall. Healy Hall stands adjacent to Lauinger. It showcases Flemish Romanesque architecture. Look closely and you might see how Lauinger’s spire subtly echoes Healy’s clock tower.
Lauinger Library replaced Riggs Library. Riggs Library had served as the main library since 1891. Riggs Library is one of the few extant cast iron libraries in the nation. By the mid-20th century, Riggs Library simply couldn’t accommodate Georgetown’s growing collection. Riggs Library still stores books. It is now primarily used for formal university events.
Take a moment to appreciate the views from Lauinger Library. You can see the Potomac River and the Rosslyn, Virginia skyline.
Inside Lauinger Library, you will find the Woodstock Theological Center Library. This is a remnant of the library of Woodstock College. It is one of the leading Catholic theological libraries in the country.
On the fifth floor of Lauinger Library, discover the Booth Center for Special Collections. It is named after David G. Booth. It houses a treasure trove of archival documents related to Georgetown. You can also find rare books, manuscripts, and art.
Need a caffeine fix? Head to the second floor. There, The Corp, a Georgetown student organization, operates The Midnight MUG coffee shop. “Midnight” has been serving students since 2003.
Interestingly, Lauinger Library hasn’t always been lauded for its aesthetics. It received an Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects in 1976. More recently, some have called it one of Georgetown’s “ugliest” buildings. Business Insider even ranked it the second ugliest in D.C. after the Watergate complex.
Whether you love it or hate it, Lauinger Library is an integral part of the Georgetown experience. It is a place for learning, research, and perhaps a late-night coffee. It is a repository of knowledge and a monument to a fallen alumnus. So, next time you’re here, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history and purpose within these concrete walls of Lauinger Library.