James Madison University’s East Campus Library, one of several construction projects occurring on campus, is nearing completion. The $31 million project, which broke ground in September 2006, was designed by architectural firm The Design Collective, of Baltimore, Md., and built by Nielsen Builders of Harrisonburg.
On Wednesday, JMU invited the media to tour the 106,000 square foot building.
Featuring areas designed for studying, relaxing, and instruction, the facility emphasizes “connecting people and ideas,” according to Dean of Libraries Ralph Alberico.
Essentially, the structure is a five story box, which will contain the bulk of the educational resources and offices, and around the box wraps a wing that will accommodate students up to the fourth floor for interaction and studying. The fifth floor of the main structure will primarily be for use by faculty.
Dean of Libraries Ralph Alberico addresses the media and members of the JMU community during Wednesday’s tour.
In some areas of the library, furniture will be on wheels to allow visitors to configure the spaces for their needs.
In addition to the traditional resources, the new library will have a variety of computer stations, wireless access for laptops and laptops which can be checked out for use in the library. Faculty will have access to a recording studio with video editing capabilities and it will also be possible for some instructional spaces to record lectures.
The Learning Commons on the first floor, which Alberico describes as an evolution from the traditional reference area of a library.
A view from the second floor, which will be arranged with seating areas.
When visitors need a break, they can grab a drink or a bite to eat at a Java City Café that will be in operation on the first floor.
Although collections will be aimed at scientific topics, the library will also have basic reference material for other purposes.
“We think that this library is going to attract all students from across campus,” said John McGehee, director for the new facility.
Stacks with 24,000 linear feet of shelving capacity will hold 67,000 books when the library is open.
The library will hold regular hours and plans to close at 2 a.m. on most days. However, after the closing of the main building, those with a university JAC card can access a 24-hour study area and computer lab.
Over the summer, finishing touches will be made and collections will be transferred from Carrier Library beginning June 16. The opening of the East Campus Library is scheduled for August of 2008.
The JMU Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex, as viewed from the third floor of the building.
As seen from the fifth floor of the new library, Carrier Library (grey building in center) sits on the opposite side of campus.
Anyone have an understanding of how much of the material and collections filling this library will be new, how much of it transferred from Carrier, and as such what Carrier might plan to do with opening space?
David, the East Campus Library circulating collection — that is, the books that people can borrow — will represent subject areas in the sciences, technology and health.
Carrier Library’s remaining circulating collection will be focused on the arts, humanities and social sciences.
That said, neither library is being labeled as a subject library. The idea is that, given the unique nature of the JMU campus, both libraries will serve broad populations.
Evan,
Terrific article. The opening shot is spectacular! Does Michelle H. know about that one?
Thanks for the summary.