A Space for Books Becomes a Place for People

As the need for large, onsite collections of printed materials has diminished, the opportunity has emerged to remake the library as a vibrant public space where ideas are exchanged, the scholarship of faculty and students is celebrated, and students are engaged in the creation of knowledge (not just its consumption).

Implemented over multiple phases to avoid disruption of critical library services, the masterplan will infuse the space with natural light, create a more welcoming space, and spark discovery. A deep overhang on the south side of the building currently prevents natural light from entering the main atrium, leaving it feeling cut off from campus. A future phase of the masterplan calls for pulling a new glass entry toward the edge of the overhang, turning the first floor into an inviting extension of the public plaza just outside.

Within this new entrance, more varied collaborative spaces will greet visitors as digital displays line upper floors of the atrium, inviting students to discover knowledge and community deeper within the space. A reoriented grand staircase will reinforce the invitation to explore, and a better visual connection to Burnet Woods—once obscured by stacks and private offices—will create a lighter, more welcoming interior.

As Langsam’s interior is transformed, its façade will be as well. Façade and mechanical systems updates are expected to reduce energy use by approximately 67%, because any future-oriented library will not only change how we engage information but how we engage the world.