The restoration work to strengthen the Old University Library on Mita Campus against earthquakes and to preserve the building, which began in February 2017 and continued over a period of two years and four months, was completed on Friday, June 14.
To mark this occasion, a presentation of letters of appreciation from Keio to the designers, supervisors, and construction workers involved in the restoration, and the presentation of an inventory of presents to the designers and supervisors was conducted, with more than 50 relevant persons from Keio in attendance alongside persons involved in the design and construction work. President Akira Haseyama gave a speech during which he expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the restoration work, while sharing reminiscences of his university days in the Old University Library. He also conveyed his hopes that the building would become a facility to allow the history and culture of Keio to be passed on to future generations.
After the subsequent congratulatory addresses from attendees, a screening of file footage focused on the construction work was held. This restoration work used revolutionary base-isolation retro-fitting to install base isolation devices underneath the building without altering its form, and involved challenging and meticulous operations to work with an important cultural property built in the Meiji era. Following the ceremony, a tour of the building including the underground base isolation layer was conducted.
It is planned hereafter to continue to maintain the interior of the Old University Library, with the planned completion in the summer of 2020 of the "Keio Historical Archive Space (provisional name)." This space will be a venue to introduce Keio’s history and traditions as well as disseminate its philosophy and culture to the world.