U. of California, Santa Cruz - Renovation and Expansion

A couple of recent articles spotlight the success of the McHenry Library at U.C., Santa Cruz.  A University News article from last September covered the official opening of the Global Village Cafe, the Information Commons and group study rooms with 15 ft. windows and a "stunning view of towering redwood trees."

A more recent article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel details the $100m renovation/expansion which began in 2005.

btw McHenry Library is also home to the Grateful Dead Archive.

Canadian Learning Commons Conference - Registration Open

Registration is now open for the 6th Canadian Learning Commons Conference, May 7 - 9, 2012 at the University of Calgary.  Donald Beagle and Margaret Mackey are the keynoters.
The pre-conference workshop, led by Melinda Scott of George Brown College, is titled "Assessing the Impact of the Commons on Learning Outcomes."

Opening reception will be at the new Taylor Family Digital Library.

In the Works - U. of Manchester, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons

Summer 2012 is the target date for the opening of the University of Manchester's Alan Gilbert Learning Commons.  It promises to be "a flexible, ultra-modern and stimulating learning space."  The Commons will be managed by John Rylands University Library.

Architect's fly-thru:

Williams College - a New Sawyer Library

July, 2014 is the target date Williams College is  working toward for the opening of a new Sawyer Library as part of a renovation and integration with Stetson Hall.  The new library will house the humanities and social sciences collections as well as a Learning Commons, the Center for Media Initiatives, a café, and the college archives. "By collocating previously dispersed collections and services, the new library will create new synergies and creative opportunities for collaboration." http://bit.ly/y53ND6

Sawyer Library (1975) to be demolished (brief history here)

New Sawyer, east elevation (July, 2014). Architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ) designed the project


Animated walkthrough   


Construction site photos on Flickr


Steve Satullo's blog Eph's Libraries: Old to New traces the history of libraries at Williams, beginning with a collection of 360 books in one room of the original college building.