Folger Shakespeare Library

The complete story behind the creation, renovation, and transformation of the world’s foremost research library on the works, life, and times of William Shakespeare.

Explore the history of the Folger Shakespeare Library in this lushly illustrated volume, which traces the work of those who have built, supported, and reimagined the institution from its founding in 1932 to its renovation and reopening in 2024.

Originally designed by Philadelphia architect Paul Philippe Cret in consultation with collectors Henry and Emily Folger, the library is a significant cultural landmark in Washington, DC. In 2011, a new strategic plan was developed to transform the Folger, making it more accessible to a broader audience of visitors. This collection of essays, featuring archival and contemporary photography, explores the details of the transformative renovation.

Delve into Philadelphia-based architecture firm KieranTimberlake’s assessment of every detail of the original building, along with their design strategy and collaboration with prominent partners to bring the renovation to beautiful fruition. Taking a uniquely holistic approach, the firm collaborated with leading designers in landscaping, branding, typography, and exhibition design to breathe new life into this storied building. While its elegant façade, a memorial to William Shakespeare, is unchanged, the Folger’s expanded scope is extraordinary:

“The project, more than ten years in the making, pulled off a near-impossible feat . . . For the first time, the public can get up close to treasures once locked away in storage. . . . It’s a masterclass in balancing preservation with reinvention.”—Gerrish Lopez, Time Out

Perfect for architects, designers, and urban planners specializing in the modernization of historic structures, this is a magnificent survey of a large, historic renovation project. Readers may find themselves compelled to visit the site for themselves, though this book provides an incredible tour itself.

LANDMARK BUILDING: The 1932 Paul Cret-designed building has undergone a four-year, $80 million overhaul, expanding the library's programming, exhibition, and public spaces. The original building was preserved beautifully, while allowing for changes that created the library’s first permanent exhibit, improved accessibility, and greatly enhanced the visitor experience.

NEW ACCESS TO SHAKESPEARE FOLIOS: Eighty-two copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio, which had been previously stored away with access granted only to select scholars, are now on view for visitors.

AWARD-WINNING DESIGNERS: The firms involved in the renovation include KieranTimberlake for overall planning and architectural design, Studio Joseph for systems and display cases, Pentagram for visual identity, and OLIN for landscapes, among many other contributors, including artists, preservationists, and engineers.

Perfect for:

• Architects, designers, and those interested in architectural history
• Students, scholars, and educators 
• Fans of Shakespeare and the English Renaissance