William F Menking Book Collection Fundraiser
Donation protected
As many of you know, William Menking passed away one year ago this April. The local and global architecture community hasn’t been quite been the same with him gone. As the Founding Editor-in-Chief of The Architect’s Newspaper, Bill had a rare ability to make connections between people, places, and ideas, and as a professor at Pratt Institute School of Architecture for more than 30 years, he inspired his students and colleagues to expand their thinking about architecture through forays into the social histories of complementary disciplines.
Bill’s personal library is a testament to his wide-ranging knowledge and dedication to the histories of architecture, urbanism, city planning, design, contemporary arts, and popular and counter cultures. With over 2,000 volumes the collection offers a Borgesian labyrinth and self- portrait of Bill’s life and his commitment to education, shared knowledge, and unbridled curiosity.
And now, it needs a home.
Bill hoped to transfer the majority of his library to an educational institution, making it accessible to students and faculty for years to come. Diana Darling, cofounder of The Architect’s Newspaper and Bill’s longtime partner, along with friends, wants to make his wish a reality.
But we need your help!
Former students, well-wishers, and AN friends and readers can browse the collection and “sponsor” one—or multiple—library titles. Individual donations begin at $10 a book, with the proceeds going to fund the transfer of Bill’s books to an undetermined academic institution. A special “book plate” is being designed by the artist Barbara Bloom to commemorate each volume. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.
Diana would like to give special thanks to Ken Saylor for cataloguing and assembling the collection. Additional thanks go to Simone Kaplan-Senchak, Barbara Bloom, Matt Hoffman, Samuel Medina, and AN Media Group.
Please contact Diana Darling for more using the Contact button below.
Lastly, thanks to Vitro, YKK, Grace Farms, The Steel Institute of New York, and The Ornamental Institute of New York for their support in this effort
Explore the William F Menking Book Collection
Bill’s personal library is a testament to his wide-ranging knowledge and dedication to the histories of architecture, urbanism, city planning, design, contemporary arts, and popular and counter cultures. With over 2,000 volumes the collection offers a Borgesian labyrinth and self- portrait of Bill’s life and his commitment to education, shared knowledge, and unbridled curiosity.
And now, it needs a home.
Bill hoped to transfer the majority of his library to an educational institution, making it accessible to students and faculty for years to come. Diana Darling, cofounder of The Architect’s Newspaper and Bill’s longtime partner, along with friends, wants to make his wish a reality.
But we need your help!
Former students, well-wishers, and AN friends and readers can browse the collection and “sponsor” one—or multiple—library titles. Individual donations begin at $10 a book, with the proceeds going to fund the transfer of Bill’s books to an undetermined academic institution. A special “book plate” is being designed by the artist Barbara Bloom to commemorate each volume. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.
Diana would like to give special thanks to Ken Saylor for cataloguing and assembling the collection. Additional thanks go to Simone Kaplan-Senchak, Barbara Bloom, Matt Hoffman, Samuel Medina, and AN Media Group.
Please contact Diana Darling for more using the Contact button below.
Lastly, thanks to Vitro, YKK, Grace Farms, The Steel Institute of New York, and The Ornamental Institute of New York for their support in this effort
Explore the William F Menking Book Collection
Organizer
The Architects Newspaper
Organizer
New York, NY
