Campus Guide
o'neill library
O'Neill Library
1981
Named after Thomas P. ("Tip") O'Neill, Jr., Boston College alumnus ('36), Congressman from Massachusetts, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the library is located next to Devlin Hall.
Since its construction in 1928, Bapst Library had served as the main library for Boston College. By the 1970s, however, it was clear that Bapst could no longer meet the needs of a student body that numbered well over ten thousand. Early in his administration as president, Rev. J. Donald Monan, SJ made a new library building a major priority
After preliminary studies, in 1978 the Architects Collaborative was commissioned to design a library on the hillside across from Gasson Hall. On October 14, 1984, at a ceremony held in the open plaza facing the structure, the new library was formally dedicated, in honor of an illustrious alumnus, Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. ('36), Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Built with a warm Rockville granite from Minnesota, the O'Neill Library is a massive structure, large enough to hold a million books. Three of its five stories are situated on the downhill side of the site, while only three stories rise above eye level on the crest of the hill. Thus the O'Neill does not compete in height with Gasson, Devlin, or St. Mary's Halls; nor do its clean, simple lines distract from the Gothic beauty of the original buildings. Yet the building provides a spectacular view of the Boston skyline.
The interior of the library is warm and welcoming, with wall-to-wall carpeting and natural oak furnishings. Video display terminals have replaced the old card catalogs, and a modern computer system manages all library functions.