CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. - Monticello's Jefferson Library has been named a recipient of a 2003 Library Building Award from the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association.

     The award will be presented to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc., and Hartman-Cox Architects of Washington, D.C., at the ALA's annual conference, to be held June 19-25 in Toronto.

     The joint AIA-ALA award program, in its 21st year, recognizes distinguished accomplishment in library architecture.

     In citing the Jefferson Library, the jury said: "This memorable library - from its majestic reading room to its high quality of construction and detailing - leaves a lasting, positive impression as a building of our time although it is clearly informed by the past."

     The Jefferson Library is one of seven libraries to receive a 2003 award. The others are the Lee B. Philmon Branch Library in Riverdale, Ga.; the Suzallo Library of the University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.; the Seattle Temporary Central Public Library, Seattle, Wash.; South Court of the New York Public Library, New York; the Hockaday School Upper and Lower School Library, Dallas; and the Shady Hill School Library, Cambridge, Mass.

     The Jefferson Library was opened in March 2002 and formally dedicated on April 13, 2002. The 15,500-square-foot facility, built at a cost of approximately $5.5 million, is located at Kenwood, home of Monticello's Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies, approximately one-half mile east of the entrance to Monticello.

     The library contains shelf space for 28,000 volumes, a special collections room, a central reading room, two conference rooms, an informal "common" room, a multimedia center, and 20 offices, including those of the editorial staff of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series.

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