The School of Architecture Reading Room houses the William “Bill” Menking Book Collection, which includes several thousand books, magazines, and pamphlets on architecture, urbanism, and design. Bill Menking was a beloved member of the School of Architecture faculty, teaching for three decades in both the Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment (GCPE) and Undergraduate Architecture (UA).
His enthusiastic passion for architecture and its possibilities was evident in his work. Bill made a significant impact on the teaching of architecture and planning. He was dedicated to interdisciplinary education and worked to forge connections across campus, helping students understand the social issues in their fields and encouraging them to challenge the status quo of the industry and its institutions. His dedication to a diverse range of knowledge is also represented in the book collection. The Reading Room serves as a space for Pratt students, faculty, and staff to read, study, relax, and access the volumes in the lockers.
Our Catalog
The Menking collection is not only housed in the School of Architecture but also in the Pratt Library. To view the books in our collection, please click on this link. To view the portion of the collection in the library, go to the Pratt Library main page, click the book icon, then navigate to the Books & Multimedia page. In the Search field, enter “Menking” to find the books donated by Professor Bill Menking.
To enhance the Reading Room as a valuable resource for School of Architecture (SoA) students, additional book donations have contributed to the Menking collection. These books are currently located in the SoA Dean’s office. The collection includes a diverse range of topics, such as art and design, Western philosophy, theology, and fiction and non-fiction from the 19th and 20th centuries. To view books from the non-Menking collection, please click on this link.
Requesting Materials
While the Reading Room is not a lending library, we are eager to help you access the books you want. If you come across a book in our catalog that interests you, please let us know by emailing arch-readingroom@pratt.edu. Please do not forget to include your name and the full title of the book, and we will ensure that it’s waiting for you either the same day or the next time the Reading Room is open. If a book is listed in the catalog but is not currently available, we recommend checking the Pratt Library as well. Many books from the Menking collection can also be found there.
Rules & Guidelines
- ALL READING MATERIALS MUST STAY IN THE READING ROOM. The Pratt School of Architecture Reading Room is not a lending library. Books and other materials must not be removed. There are sofas available for sitting, relaxing, and reading.
- PLEASE SIGN IN. Please sign in with the student worker on duty to use the materials in the Reading Room during service hours.
- HELP SAVE THE COLLECTION. Refrain from making marks on books and other materials; do not write notes on top of materials, and please do not tear pages out of the books. Exercise the greatest possible care in handling some of the older materials in the collection. We want to honor the memory of Bill Menking, whose collection is hosted in the SoA Reading Room, by making sure the collection stays in excellent condition for current and future students to learn and enjoy.
- BE MINDFUL. During Reading Room hours of service, please refrain from eating or drinking, and do not use the space for video meetings. Silence your cell phones, and if you receive a call, please leave the reading room to take or place a call. We want to respect people who desire a quiet space to read and study. Feel free to use the space during off-service hours, but keep it clean and in operating condition for all students.
Location
Higgins Hall Basement
61 St. James Place
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Hours
Wed 9:30 am – 1:00pm
Contact
arch-readingroom@pratt.edu