Pete Ellis
The East Wing of D.H. Hill Library will open to students March 12. The wing includes a learning commons area, an exhibit hall and a reading room. The project began in July 2005. The Technician spoke to Jeanne Hammer, assistant director for capital management and external relations for NCSU Libraries.
Technician: How long did the East Wing project take?
Hammer: It started the first of July 2005.
Technician: How much did it cost?
Hammer: [We received a] $9.2 million Higher Education bond. Separately, the library has put about $2 million into it, including gifts. We had a lot of gifts from private donors. We pulled some [funding] from our operating budget.
Technician: When will it be open to students?
Hammer: March 12 at 11 a.m. will be the ribbon-cutting.
Technician: What’s new about the East Wing?
Hammer: The computers are equipped with Unity software. [The Learning Commons] is furnished and configured so that students can work in groups. It is not a hushed space.
Technician: How did you select the furniture and design for the wing?
Hammer: We had a committee within the library, including the director. We worked with an interior designer and a local firm that is a representative of office furniture.The library director wanted students to have examples of good design around them.