Renovations are almost complete for the East Wing of D.H. Hill Library. According to Jeanne Hammer, assistant director for capital management and external relations for the library, the construction is expected to be completed by March 12.

The entrance to the old library, on the east wing, now sports a sculpture consisting of dichroic glass — glass that reflects different colors of light — built by artist Joy Wulke.

“One of the things we heard was how creepy it is to walk by the Brickyard at night in front of the library, so we’ve done this light sculpture as a way to kind of enlighten the facade,” Hammer said. “On a sunny day you can already see it start to sparkle.”

Behind this lays a special exhibits gallery with museum cases for artifacts and wall space for pictures. According to Hammer, the first exhibit once the museum opens will feature pictures by B.W. Wells of “The Big Savannah” in Pender County.

The majority of the renovations took place on the ground and first floors. The ground floor will primarily be staff area, but the first floor will house a new “learning commons area.”

This large area is located at the entrance to the wing from the main library and houses many of the services the East Wing will provide and is being described as “technology rich.”

Philip Cochran, a senior in chemistry, said he hopes to see more computers in the new wing.

“There always seems to be a shortage of those, especially during class hours,” Cochran said.

The main portion of the commons area consists of tables for students to come and study or read. There is also a reading room that will seat about 64 people.

Pete Motichek, a junior in chemistry, said he believes that spending money on renovating the library is a good idea,

“It’ll help with the crowding if there is extra space,” he said.

There is one presentation practice room which will have a virtual whiteboard and chairs to help students or groups with presentations. Librarians and staff will also walk around the area to provide help to students instead of being in just one spot.

Apart from the commons area is the special collections research center that will give students access to closed stack books.

“If somebody wants to come in and use any of the manuscripts or rare books that we have in special collections they will go to that service point and special collections will help them,” Hammer said.

The addition will also provide students with jobs, though no number of students needed is set in stone.

Keith Kapral, a junior in aerospace engineering and library assistant, said he thinks the new wing will help with giving students more “group study space,” provide more seating for students to work together and show students the library is not a place of the past.

“It’s really going to bring a new face to the library,” Kapral said. “We’re all looking forward to it.”