Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library

Library reading room

The Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library is the national library of the Theosophical Society in America. It is in the L. W. Rogers Building on the Olcott campus, located in Wheaton,Illinois.

History

Library in 1928

Library expansion in 1963

The basis for this library was established by L. W. Rogers while the organization, then called the American Theosophical Society, had its headquarters in Chicago. When the Society moved to the Wheaton site in 1927, the south end of the building was designed to be a library. The Society honored Mr. Rogers in 1932 by naming it the Rogers Library. The library went through several changes of name, and the building became the L. W. Rogers Building. For many years the library served as the location for public open houses and teas, at which the guests were entertained by musical performances and speakers.

In 1962-63, the library was expanded with an eighteen-foot extension. The new portion of the building was designed by husband-wife team of architects, Lillian and Wilbur Leenhouts, who were members of the Milwaukee Theosophical Society. Their design retained the original decorative stone window by having it moved due south into the new curved end of the building. Construction was supervised by engineer Georg Linton. The extension included shelving, a meeting room, Rare Books Room, and storage room on the upper level adjoining the balcony. On the ground floor, there was space for a librarians' office and ranges of shelving. A basement was excavated under the entire library, providing space for additional storage and processing areas. For many years a portion of the basement served as a shipping room.

Collections and facilities

Steps to balcony. Photo by Glenn Kujansuu.

Website and online resources

Many resources are available in the Website for the library.

Photo gallery

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  Patrons in Reading Room.

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  Balcony level. Photo by Glenn Kujansuu.

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  Stacks on main floor.

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  Indian dance performance.

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  String duet performance.

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  Discussion during 2008 convention.