Our in-house “librarians”  Kim Hughes and Cassie Kromnacker have been reorganizing and updating Mackey Mitchell’s extensive book collection. Horace Mann (an American education reformer) once said “a house without books is like a room without windows.” His sentiment has been part of the firm’s culture since 1968 when Gene Mackey founded the corporation and brought books to the office from his father’s home library. “I always felt that having an in-house library with the goal of continually expanding it would become an invaluable resource for those in the office.” And indeed it is. With over 2,000 titles, Mackey Mitchell’s library is a work in progress, constantly updated with both old and new book titles. We’ve purchased  portions of libraries from retired architects including those of Gerhardt Kramer and Kenneth Wischmeyer.  Many of our publications come from renowned specialty stores including William Stout Architectural Books and the former Prairie Avenue in Chicago.  To complement our valued book collection, Tom Young designed the versatile and functional shelves that have become a major feature in our central Town Square area. These books have become a great reference library, inviting visitors and staff to explore and reflect one of the firm’s guiding principles – the value of life-long learning.