Timeline – from foundry to library

The building that today holds the library originally served as a foundry hall for Jönköpings Mekaniska Werkstad. Follow the timeline to see how its usage and design have changed over time.

1859

Jönköpings Gjuteri is founded in 1859 by Frans Gustaf Sandwall, Johan Edward Lundström and Carl Frans Lundström.

1866

The company is reorganized and changed its name to Jönköpings Mekaniska Werkstad.

1907

The ”fish belly” bridge crane, which is later mounted in the ceiling of the foundry hall, is manufactured by Halmstads gjuteri AB.

1914

The foundry hall, designed by architect Magnus Steendorff, is being built for Jönköpings Mekaniska Werkstad.

~1960
Aerial monochrome photograph of the industrial area that is the university campus today. Aerial photograph of the university campus as it was seen in 2018.
Monochrome photo at street level of the foundry hall and the street. In the street several bicyclist can be seen.
The foundry hall before the fire.

During the 1960s, the foundry hall roof burns down and is replaced by the saddle roof that remains to this day.

1969

The foundry hall is expanded to the south with a steel building covered in yellow sheet metal.

1969
Monochrome photograph of the foundry hall and the extension as it was in 1969. In the street next to the building two heavy trucks can be seen and a small car.
The foundry hall with the new roof and the southern expansion.
~1975
Aerial photograph of the industrial area around the foundry hall building as it was seen in 1975. Aerial photograph of the university campus as it was seen in 2018.
Monochrome photograph of the foundry hall interior some time between ~1975 and ~1990. In the photo machines and materials can be seen on the factory floor.
The foundry hall interior
1992

The foundry, which at that time was run by Scanpump, is closed down after operations were reduced over a ten-year period.

1993–1994

The building is used as a venue for art and music projects by Jönköping Municipality.

1994

The entire industrial area, including the foundry hall, is sold to Högskole­fastigheter i Jönköping AB.

1997

The foundry hall is rebuilt into a library.

Exteriorly, the foundry hall has retained its original appearance. The only change is the removal of a cupola and renovation of the roof and gables, all of which took place after a fire in the 1960´s. Interiorly, two freestanding rafters have been added and the library’s holdings are housed on the three floors of the foundry hall.

A new three-story building was built directly to the east of the old structure. The two buildings are connected by an atrium. The new building consists of staff offices, study rooms and group rooms.

The architectural drawings are made by White Arkitekter AB, Gothenburg. On 11 August 1997, the new University Library is opened for business. The official dedication of the new university campus took place on 25–27 September 1997.

2000
Multiple rows of shelves with printed journals and periodicals that fill up what is now JMW-salen.
Shelves for printed journals and periodicals seen in what is now JMW-salen.

At this time the library had a larger collection of printed material, which was reflected in the building. Over the years the number of shelves decreased as more and more material became digital.

2009
A few rows of shelves with printed journals and periodicals in what is now JMW-salen. The rest of the room is filled with sofas, tables with chairs and other study seats.
Shelves were removed and replaced by study seats and computer when they were no longer needed.
2021–2022

The library makeover

In 2021 and 2022, a major renovation of the premises was carried out to better meet the changing needs of the patrons. Key words during the renewal were reuse and restoration. Most of the furniture has been restored and reused and the floor on the ground floor has been sanded.

2022
The room JMW-salen as seen after the renovation with lots of tables much like a cafeteria. The room JMW-salen as seen before the renovation with a few shelves for journals and periodicals. There are multiple study seats in various configurations such as sofas, chairs. Both for individuals and groups.
2022
The balcony in the room JMW-salen as seen after the renovation. Tables with chairs for sitting as a group is seen. At the far end some individual study seats can be seen. The balcony in the room JMW-salen as seen before the renovation. Multiple rows of shelves with fiction books is seen along the wall. To the left there are tables with individual study seats.
2022
The central path in the library between the shelves as seen after the renovation. The floor is empty and open and to the left the information desk can be seen with grey desks and orange fabric. To the right a large table with lights can been seen; a few students sits there studying. The central path in the library between the shelves as seen before the renovation. In the middle an artwork in the form of a sculpture sits. To the left there are a few computers with standing desks. To the right there are three rows of shelves with books.
2022
The library seen from one corner close to the entrance. In the foreground there is a yellow carpet with variations of chairs; some for sitting as a group and some for sitting privately. To the right a large table with chairs is seen. Around the carpet there are big pots with plants. The library seen from one corner close to the entrance. In the foreground there are rows of computers with chairs with privacy walls between.
2022
The library entrance and blue wall seen from the wooden floor. The blue wall is seen having bricks in a lighter color where it has been rebuilt. Along the wall the ckeckout and return machines are placed. The library entrance and blue wall seen from the wooden floor. The wall has a big hole with glass doors. In front of the wall the information desk for the library is seen.
2022
The library seen from the top of the first set of stairs. In the middle of the image the large white brick wall with art is seen. To the right a yellow carpet with different furniture for sitting and reading is seen. Along the tall windows there are shelves for journals. The library seen from the top of the first set of stairs. In the middle of the image the large white brick wall with art is seen. To the right there are computer with privacy walls between.
2022
A passage between bookshelves and the tall outer windows. In every windowsill there is a high table at the bottom edge of the window with tall chairs. The rest of the passage is empty except for hangers for clothes. A passage between bookshelves and the tall outer windows. Between some of the windows there are pedestals for reading heavy books and periodically placed chairs with a built in small table.
2022
A small area in the group room corridors. The walls are painted yellow and some yellow curtains hang from the ceiling. The middle of the area is split by a wall att roughly shoulder height. To the left of the wall there is a table with chairs lit by a hanging lamp. A small open area in the group room corridors. The area is mostly empty in the middle with a table and chairs to the left. Two printers are placed along the outer wall.