UNC Wilmington is proud to announce the completion of the highly anticipated renovation of the UNCW Library. The library opened to the public on Thursday, Aug. 15.
After two years of construction, the transformed facility has been reimagined to better support student success, foster research and create collaborative spaces that will serve the community for decades to come.
“Our goal has been to make the UNCW Library the intellectual heart of the campus, providing a welcoming environment for students to both study and socialize. “We are pleased to see students making that goal a reality as they happily engage with the spaces, our staff, and each other throughout the library,” said Lucy Holman, associate provost for teaching, learning and library services and dean of the library. “There’s a distinct air of excitement as students explore the new spaces, finding their favorite spots. We are already seeing students become ‘regulars’ in certain locations.”
The renovation brings cutting-edge technology, expanded study areas and state-of-the-art learning environments to the heart of campus. The library, now known as UNCW Library, is made up of two different buildings—Discovery Hall and Randall Hall. The total size of the library is now nearly 266,000 square feet.
Discovery Hall is home to an events space with an adjacent exhibit area, a new data Visualization and Analysis Lab, an enhanced and enlarged makerspace, a recording studio and virtual reality space, and a new home, that includes a research room, for the collections of the Center for Southeast North Carolina Archives and History.
“We are thrilled to welcome students, faculty and staff back to the new UNCW Library,” said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. “This renovation represents a major investment in the academic experience at UNCW and underscores our commitment to providing exceptional resources to the community. The UNCW Library is a vibrant hub for research, collaboration and creativity.”
Designed with input from students and faculty, the renovation was centered on flexibility and inclusivity, providing spaces that can adapt to a variety of learning styles. The library’s new special collections area and enhanced archives also offer more accessible ways to explore UNCW’s history and scholarly works.
"With the renovation now complete, the UNCW Library is poised to play an elevated role in the academic life of the university and greater community, enriching the campus experience and fostering a culture of curiosity and discovery," said Holman.
UNCW held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 25 to welcome the community to the library. Campus and state leadership shared remarks to welcome people into the new space.
This article has the following tags: myUNCW Academics Arts & Culture Research & Innovation
