Part of the second floor of the Harold F. Johnson Library was approved by the College for this project. A Hampshire College architecture graduate, Mike Meo, designed the space with an eye toward sustainability, comfort and spatial artistry that also showcases Robert’s extraordinary collection.
Over the years new publications have been added to maintain the collection’s relevance and to collect books especially on topics that had been of particular interest to Robert. The Robert Seydel Memorial Reading Room remains a favorite campus study space, and the books continue to be in wide circulation.
Over the years new publications have been added to maintain the collection’s relevance and to collect books especially on topics that had been of particular interest to Robert. The Robert Seydel Memorial Reading Room remains a favorite campus study space, and the books continue to be in wide circulation.
robert seydel reading room
at hampshire college
A dedicated bibliophile, at the time of his passing, Robert had collected approximately 12,000 books. His diverse collection included books on art, history, ecology, literature, poetry, social commentary, philosophy, outsider art, artist books, many signed artist folios, and first editions. A small group of close friends on the faculty and staff suggested that a dedicated space at the Hampshire College Library be created to make his extraordinary collection available to students and faculty.
Robert’s family readily agreed and over 4,000 books from his collection became the core of the Robert Seydel Memorial Reading Room. During the next few years this small group of faculty and staff along with Robert’s family and friends worked to envision the project and bring it to completion. Spurred on by the successful campaign to award Robert with the Teacher of the Year Award posthumously in 2011, an additional $100,000 was raised by donations from family, friends, faculty, students, both current and past.
Part of the second floor of the Harold F. Johnson Library was approved by the College for this project. A Hampshire College architecture graduate, Mike Meo, designed the space with an eye toward sustainability, comfort and spatial artistry that also showcases Robert’s extraordinary collection.
Over the years new publications have been added to maintain the collection’s relevance and to collect books especially on topics that had been of particular interest to Robert. The Robert Seydel Memorial Reading Room remains a favorite campus study space, and the books continue to be in wide circulation.
Robert’s family readily agreed and over 4,000 books from his collection became the core of the Robert Seydel Memorial Reading Room. During the next few years this small group of faculty and staff along with Robert’s family and friends worked to envision the project and bring it to completion. Spurred on by the successful campaign to award Robert with the Teacher of the Year Award posthumously in 2011, an additional $100,000 was raised by donations from family, friends, faculty, students, both current and past.
Part of the second floor of the Harold F. Johnson Library was approved by the College for this project. A Hampshire College architecture graduate, Mike Meo, designed the space with an eye toward sustainability, comfort and spatial artistry that also showcases Robert’s extraordinary collection.
Over the years new publications have been added to maintain the collection’s relevance and to collect books especially on topics that had been of particular interest to Robert. The Robert Seydel Memorial Reading Room remains a favorite campus study space, and the books continue to be in wide circulation.
