This fall, the new James B. Hunt
Jr . Library will open. The library is
located in the Oval on Centennial
Campus, overlooking Lake Raleigh.
While the budget for the project
started at $126 million, it was reduced
by $10.7 million during the
2009 budget crisis, according to the
library website.
With the completion of the library,
students will be able to access
many new work spaces and new
technologies. N.C . State is currently
below the 20 percent library seating
requirement; its libraries are able to
seat less than 5 percent of patrons.
The new library will double this
space.
“It’s state-of-the-art in terms of
providing students with access to
information and also a mecca for
people to come to and learn about
science,” Chancellor Randy Woodson
said at a 2010 Q&A session in
Asheville, North Carolina. “We
have one of the strongest research
libraries, and the Jim Hunt library
will only elevate our reputation and
our stature,”
One of these innovations is the
BookBot , an automated book delivery
system. This will not only allow
the library to store more books, but
it will given students quick and easy
access to the books they need. The
new library will contain up to two
million volumes.
“There’s going to be an immersion
theater, a space for a small group
with a very large curved video well,”
Patrick Deaton, associate director of
learning spaces and capital management
administration, said.
“There’s going to be a gaming lab.
We have a gaming space at D.H .
Hill, but this is an actual glass room
with another large video display,”
Deaton said. “We will have almost
100 study rooms, work rooms and
focus rooms. We have about 15 at
D.H . Hill.”
Even though the library will be located
on Centennial Campus and
aimed at engineering, textiles and
veterinary students, Deaton predicts
that students from all over campus
will find something at Hunt Library.
“Because of its location on Centennial,
we expect a lot of engineering
students will be using the building,
especially during the day,” Deaton
said. “We also think that since
parking is easier over there later in
the day, it will attract students from
all parts of the University.”
Deaton said that permanent student
accommodations will be available
as well, with easier access to the
Hunt Library.
“There is also new student housing
being built across the street from
the library, so we expect students
moving over there to be using the
library a lot,” Deaton said.
Kim Pigford , first year graduate
student in science education, is excited
about the new study space.
“With the new spaces available,
I’m sure I’ll find myself using [The
Hunt Library] when D.H . Hill gets
too loud or crowded around exam
time,” Pigford said.
Pigford said she expects the library
will alleviate crowding, making
for a better study environment
on campus.
“When I was an undergrad here,
I couldn’t always get a study space
booked at D.H . Hill when I wanted
one. I’d gladly take the trip
down to Centennial if it means
I can get a quiet place to study
with friends,” Pigford said.
One major impact of Hunt
Library’s construction is it will
bring changes to D.H . Hill.
“It’s important to keep in
mind that once Hunt opens,
and we are able to free up some
space in D.H . Hill, that it is our
intent to try to renovate some
spaces in D.H . Hill as funds are
available, so that D.H . Hill will
start to have the same kinds of
spaces,” Deaton said.
While the opening ceremony
is scheduled for October 2012,
a date for when the library will
open to the public has not been
announced.