Legends of the Library and Courts Building
Restored to its original splendor in 2014, the architecture of the Library and Courts building inspires library lore; footsteps echo in the marble hallways and artwork and sculptures harken back to classical antiquity. This is especially true of Gillis Hall, the main reading room in the Library and Courts building.
Gillis Hall has long been one of the favorite spaces in the State Library due to its large front facing windows and historical mural by artist Maynard Dixon. Named after former State Librarian James L. Gillis, the collection in Gillis Hall has been made up of a variety of subjects over the years.
Until recently, the collection was mainly reference works which were seldom used due to their age and the advent of faster methods of reference access. The State Library’s Information Services section staff reimagined the collection in Gillis Hall to dazzle visitors and showcase some of the Library’s historical titles. The collection in Gillis Hall, along with a larger classic collection kept under lock and key, comprise some of the State Library’s oldest and most storied tomes.
Some of the titles mentioned in the Ghost File reside on these shelves in Gillis Hall, inviting readers to stay and explore a portal to the past. Gillis Hall is always full of library patrons… and the echoes of what once was.
