Hampshire College - Learning Commons: Proposal and Process

"In 1968, the Harold F. Johnson Library at Hampshire College was imagined as the “educative aorta of the College,” critical to Hampshire’s interdisciplinary, experimental program. In 2014, we have the opportunity, thanks to the Portal Building project and the bookstore’s impending relocation, to re-envision a library that includes a Learning Commons designed to respond more actively, directly, and with a greater impact, to the Hampshire curriculum."

"Educative aorta" aside, Hampshire College (Amherst, MA) has set its sights on a transformation of the Johnson Library.  The process started in November, 2013 and is well documented on the project's web site.

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.