Field Log-Zimmerman Library

At first glance the Zimmerman library has the authentic look of New Mexican architecture.  The building itself was designed by an architect by the name of John Gaw Meem and his look for the building was inspired by Spanish pueblo structures.  The library was originally opened in April 1938 and over the years it has served multiple purposes for the university.  Zimmerman has gone through some modern changes, including the ability to find a book within seconds, multiple computers are available to all students and of course being able to buy a coffee at the Starbucks  before starting a long night of homework.  This is the Zimmerman library that all of us have come to know.

As my group and I explored the library, we noticed how one side has more of a modern feel while the West Wing was kept in the old style and giving off more of an authentic feel.  As we stood outside of the south entrance, we noticed how you could see an ATM through the front doors.  It made us feel a bit uneasy about a library displaying a money object right before you even enter.  Of course once we went inside the modern feel continued as we saw all of the hardworking students with their eyes glued to computer screens.  Zimmerman is also undergoing some minor remodeling that gives off the idea of a changed library.  At the circulation desk the student workers sit as they go through the motions of their work-study job.  Not a lot of students realize that the library not only offers a variety of books to check out but also study rooms, computers, chords, tablets, kindles, textbooks, headphones, the list goes on and on.

As we made our way into the West Wing, immediately you could tell the difference based off of the design elements.  The ceiling is made entirely out of wood with vigas of different styles throughout.  It is much quieter than other areas of the library and can definitely give off sort of an eerie feeling.  The employees on this side of the library were much older and none of them students.  The murals along the walls were what we noticed next.  Each one represents three racial groups: Indian, Spanish-American and Anglo and the last picture of the mural has all three figures that represent the “dawn of a new day.”  The entire West Wing is very beautiful and I really felt glad that they kept it this way instead of modernizing it.

I’ve worked at Zimmerman for nearly three years now and I never really stop and take time to notice all the history that is around me every day.  It really is a beautiful place and there are definitely a handful of stories from older employees as well as the newer ones.  It was very fun to take a mini tour around the library and take the time to look at the art work and all the architectural work as well.