Hill Library lauded for “open, light-filled” transformation

The newly renovated D. H. Hill Jr. Library is one of eleven libraries recognized in American Libraries magazine’s 2021 Library Design Showcase. The Hill Library is one of only two university libraries recognized this year.

The Libraries and architectural firm Lord Aeck Sargent are both recognized for the renovation, which is detailed in a recent article in the Libraries’ Focus magazine.

“It's an honor for our D. H. Hill Jr. Library renovation project to be featured in the 2021 Library Design Showcase, which highlights the best recent library designs across the US and Canada,” says Patrick Deaton, Associate Director for Learning Spaces and Capital Management at the Libraries. “Our collaboration with campus partners, architects Lord Aeck Sargent, and Holder Construction transformed outdated stack floors into a variety of functional and attractive spaces, all connected by a beautiful new open stair.”

“Many universities have library buildings dating from the 1970's and 1980's that are in need of renovation. Our project demonstrates how these spaces can be transformed to meet the needs of students and faculty for many years to come.”

A feature article on the Library Design Showcase in the American Libraries’ September/October issue lauds the Hill Library’s transformation into “an open, light-filled facility with an eye on the future,” noting the removal of stacks on the second and third floors to create new areas for study, academic support, and technology immersion. “In addition to facilities for the Academic Success Center, the University Tutorial Center, and the Office of Undergraduate Research, the renovation also features spaces for a 360-degree visualization studio, a data experience lab for high-end computing, and an innovation studio to showcase emerging technology.”

“The Hill Library renovation was a true collaboration,” says Greg Raschke, Senior Vice Provost and Director of Libraries. “It brought together colleagues from several departments at NC State with our partners at Lord Aeck Sargent to create an engaging, well-appointed space with experiential learning opportunities and academic success services that will benefit generations of students and researchers.”

American Libraries magazine’s annual showcase honors innovative and interesting constructions across the United States and Canada that effectively address library user needs. To be considered, new constructions, renovations, and expansions must have been completed between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021. This year’s highlighted projects—a mix of public, academic, and school libraries—were all finished during the COVID-19 pandemic.