Construction Zone: Libraries/Media Centers

Landmark library reopens at Northwestern University after renovations

Northwestern University has reopened the Charles Deering Memorial Library on its Evanston, Illinois, campus after an extensive renovation.

Northwestern Magazine reports that the upgrades preserve the original architecture of the Deering Library, increase accessibility for visitors and enhance spaces for study, collaboration and engagement with library resources.

The Deering Library, modeled after King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England, opened in 1933 and served as the university’s main library until 1970. It now houses special collections and archives.

The renovations at Deering focused on three spaces: the Eloise W. Martin Reading Room, the Richard C. Devereaux Foundation Reading Room (formerly the Music Listening Center) and the third-floor lobby. These spaces now have restored woodwork, furnishings and flooring as well as retrofitted lighting, technology upgrades and new furniture.  

The Martin Reading Room can now seat 176 people — 40 more than before. Interior bookshelves have been removed to create space for additional study tables, chairs and lounge seating. New wiring and electrical outlets have been installed, so visitors can charge their devices more conveniently.

The Devereaux Room has been reconfigured to serve as a reading room and a technology-enabled event space that can accommodate up to 150 people. Flexible furniture will enable the room to be used for open study, large-group meetings, public lectures and other events.

The third-floor lobby houses the Sandi Lynn Riggs Gallery, which will showcase Northwestern’s archival and special collections. Artificial overhead lighting that mimics sunlight without causing ultraviolet light damage to rare books and manuscripts makes it possible to put more library materials on display.

The architect for the renovation is HBRA Architects.

Rowan University is modernizing its library

The Campbell Library at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, is undergoing a major renovation to adapt to the changing needs of students.

The university is modernizing a facility that opened on campus in 1995. The biggest change emerging from the renovation will be fewer stacks of print books and more spaces for students to study and interact.

"There will be a variety of seating arrangement options and a full floor dedicated to silent study," the university says. "We are also increasing the number of bookable group study rooms and will offer improved wifi throughout the building while still retaining several desktop stations for those who prefer or need them."

To reduce the amount of materials on site, items will be categorized into three groups: "Keep On Site," "Store Off Site," and "Donate or Recycle."

"If we focus simply on growing our collections without paying attention to evaluating our existing books, our patrons would quickly be swamped by materials they do not find useful," the university says. "By recycling unneeded books and moving less frequently used ones off-site...we aim to make it easier for people to find the books they are looking for."

The renovation is scheduled to be completed later this year.

46 schools in Prince George's County, Md., get library upgrade

Forty-six school libraries in the Prince George's County (Maryland) district have undergone upgrades that transform them into modern learning hubs.

The effort is funded through a multimillion-dollar partnership with two non-profits--Heart of America and the Pull Up Fund.

“This effort is about more than remodeling spaces — it’s about reimagining the role of libraries as vibrant, inclusive hubs of learning," says Heart of America President Jill Hardy Heath.

The project also will include construction of a new library focused on training and professional development for the district’s librarians and educators.

The school libraries will be outfitted with high-tech educational resources such as smart TVs, projectors, computer stations, 3D printers, robotics kits; green screens, video equipment, editing tools, makerspaces with engineering instruments, digital calipers, and construction kits.

Heart of America also will provide more than 72,000 books featuring culturally relevant stories that reflect the diversity of Prince George's County students. The district says nearly 26,000 students will benefit directly from the modernized libraries.

Olin Library renovation completed at Cornell University

Cornell University has completed a major renovation of Olin Library on the Ithaca, New York, campus.

An overhaul of the main floor and lower levels has updated some of the most-used common areas of the facility, which was built in 1961. Wayfinding and the availability of study spaces have been improved on both floors.

The renovations on the main floor have combined what had been separate circulation and help desks into one. The improvements also have created a more open floor plan and added an entrance on the Arts Quad side.

One floor below, the Map Collection entrance has been reconfigured and a new student commons area has been added. Space also has been created for the Anthropology Collaboratory, home to several collections that used to be housed in McGraw Hall.

The architect is Goody Clancy.

Grand Rapids Community College is converting library into learning resource center

Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has begun a $35 million renovation of the Library and Learning Commons, a building constructed in 1972. The project aims to transform the 61,268-square-foot facility into a “technology-rich space that combines traditional library resources with tutoring, testing, media and multicultural services."

Upon completion in January 2027, the renovated facility will reopen as the Learning Resource Center. The name reflects an expanded mission and enhanced offerings, including an array of student-centered services, updated technology, individual study areas and collaborative spaces. The redesigned facility will blend traditional library elements with modern resources; it will cater to diverse learning styles and encourage collaborative education.

The first floor will include the Experimental Classroom, Media Technologies and the Testing Center, situated along a bright, open corridor.

The architect is Progressive Companies.

Learning commons will replace library at Aurora University

Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, is building a 45,000-square-foot learning commons that will replace the school's 63-year-old Phillips Library.

The university says the three-story facility has been designed to be a central hub of academic life on campus.

Instead of spaces filled with shelves and stacks, the Learning Commons will provide a mix of open spaces, study pods, and technology-rich learning environments. Expansive windows, natural light, and open layouts will create an inviting atmosphere.

The first floor will have a welcoming entry with traditional library resources, a café, career services, and a lounge where students and employers can connect. The second floor willl have a technology center, maker pace, content creation lab, academic support center, and collaboration areas. The third floor will be a quiet space featuring university archives, study spaces, an expanded testing center, and a scenic terrace overlooking campus.

Student support services, including the Academic Support Center and Disability Resource Office, will be easier to access; they will have extended hours and offer a range of workshops, tutoring options and one-on-one assistance. 

New media center opens in Pennsylvania high school

The Southern Lehigh (Pennsylvania) district has completed construction of a $1.7 million media center at Southern Lehigh High School in Upper Saucon Township.

LehighValleyNews.com reports that media center, which occupies the same space as the school’s former library, is a far cry from its predecessor, according to students.

It has comfortable couches and lots of natural light, thanks to added windows. It also has study rooms and makerspaces, where students can take part in hands-on activities such as science labs and art projects.

The school weeded out 83% of its former book collection because they were out of date; it has bought 3,902 new books to offer students a more modern selection.

The architect is Alloy5, and the contractor is Boyle Construction.

$19.5 million library renovation at Stockton University

The Bjork Library at Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey, is in the midst of a two-year, $19.5 million renovation.

The university says the project will transform the three-story, 100,000 square-foot space into a library learning commons that will be a place for students to gather for meetings, participate in experiential learning opportunities, and work with archival materials and primary sources. 

Construction is expected to be completed by June 2026; the renovated library is set to open in fall 2026.

The upgrades:

• The number of rooms for students to study and hold meetings will increase from 11 to 34.
• The space for learning commons--open areas designed to encourage collaborative learning--will increase fourfold from 6,950 square feet to more than 26,000 square feet in the redesign. The spaces will be spread throughout all three floors of the library.
• A new roof and heating and air conditioning system will be installed. The library hasn’t had a significant infrastructure update since its opening in 1972.
• More charging stations so students can plug in and charge computers and mobile devices.
• There also will be more comfortable chairs, more water-filling stations and more bathrooms, including a gender-neutral one.

To free up space in the building, Stockton is reducing the number of volumes in the library from 376,000 to just over 181,000.

Cal Poly reopens library after two-year renovation

The California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo has reopened the Robert E. Kennedy Library after a $78 million renovation.

The university says the upgrade was the five-story facility’s first major renovation since it opened in January 1981. The two-year project improved accessibility, added classroom space, upgraded heating and cooling systems and expanded the on-site cafe.

The reimagined first floor holds two exhibit spaces for art and historical artifacts, an expanded café and a redesigned courtyard. Hub24, the university’s 24-hour study space, has grown to include the library’s first and second floors.

Students also have access to the Digital Scholarship Studio, which includes a research help desk, a place to consult with peers on data science projects, group study space and computer workstations. 

One of the key upgrades is the library’s redesigned staircase that has freed up more square footage on several floors. The change created space for two seminar-style classrooms. Upper floors are now home to books and reference materials in the library’s main collection of more than 5 million items, a meditation room, all-gender restrooms and a host of programs.

Behind the scenes, improved insulation and upgraded systems, including heating and cooling, have reduced the building’s energy usage by 30%.

Upgraded library University of Pittsburgh receives LEED Platinum

The Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh has received LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council after an extensive renovation.

The university says the recognition for environmentally friendly design and construction came following an improvement project that stretched over nine years. The renovations revived a building "that was more warehouse than community hub," with faltering infrastructure and unreliable heating and cooling.

"The Hillman Library renovation upcycled a 1968 brutalist repository of books into a 2025 resource for engaging student study,” said Gina Bleck, vice chancellor for planning, design and construction. 

Among the sustainable features of the upgraded library are two green roof patios and a rooftop solar array.

Renovated library opens at Columbia law school

The Columbia Law School in New York City has reopened its library after modernizing the space.

The renovations to Li Lu Library, situated within Jerome L. Greene Hall, have added significant numbers of individual study seats and group study rooms. The space has been outfitted with the latest technology, ample power supplies, and flexible room and seating configurations.

The second floor is dedicated to group study and collaboration. Each of the more than 20 rooms are fully enclosed and equipped with technology and flexible seating options. The second level incorporates more casual, open seating in the David J. Greenwald Lounge—a place to catch up between classes—and is also home to the Brad and Kathy Smith Reading Room with over 60 single-student carrels. 

The third level is anchored by a two-story reading room—an open, light-filled space with views stretching out across the university’s Revson and Ancell plazas. The 3rd level serves as the main point of entry to the library.

With another 200 seats available, the 4th floor offers a mix of extended table space and individual student carrels, along with stacks of regularly used print materials.

The library has been named for alumnus Li Lu, who donated $15 million for the project.

The architect is Perkins Eastman.