December 2023 Update
The Study Commons opened for student use on 29 October 2023. The university celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 15 November. Attendees also celebrated the opening of the new Saxbys Café. As part of the festivities, the university acknowledged donors who supported the project with gifts naming three of the rooms: the Marchia G. Williams Study Room named by her son, Benjamin Williams, in her memory; the Barbara Ann Humnicky Study Room, named by her daughter, Anna Mari Humnicky (JD, MBA, 2002), in her memory; and the Women’s Philanthropy Network Wellness Room.
Dean Jeff Steely thanks students and donors for their support of the project.
President Blake is joined by university leaders and project supporters for the ribbon cutting.
Guests visit before the ribbon cutting ceremony.
June 14, 2023 Update
Work continues on the Library North Study Commons, keeping us on-pace to open in mid-September. At this point in the process, the basic structural components of the space are complete. The exterior glass wall along Collins St. is in place. Splashes of color have appeared as the walls received paint. Portions of the ceiling grid have been hung. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon, including details on Saxbys Coffee’s relocation to the Study Commons as a student-run café.
As we progress towards opening, there are still available naming opportunities for the study rooms! Contact the library Development office at [email protected] for more information about this.
March 20, 2023 Update
Our contractor continues to make great progress on the Study Commons, keeping us on schedule to open this fall. The fourth and final concrete pour this week will complete the ramps and the upper level spaces in the entry and along the service corridor. As you can see in pictures taken today (below), they are also beginning installation of ductwork and the framing of the study rooms! We look forward to sharing more progress soon.
January 13, 2023 Update
Work on the Study Commons is well under way. Demolition began in earnest in December, with removal of the ceiling grid and the asphalt parking surface. This week, the crew has been hard at work digging down a few more feet and hauling away the soil that was below the old parking lot. In that process, they began exposing underground utilities and the caissons beneath Library North’s support columns, revealing some irregular shapes that we will need to work around. So far, however, there have been no major surprises (no buried tractor, for example) and we are right on schedule for completion in early fall 2023.
July 26, 2022 Update
Two Rooms Named, More Naming Opportunities Still Available
The design of the new Study Commons is in full swing. In case you missed the news, we want to share that Georgia State’s Women’s Philanthropy Network recently announced an award of $25,000 to name the Wellness Room, a space for parents provide care to their small children. This is the second naming gift received for the Study Commons project. The first, from GSU alum Anna Humnicky, will name a group study room in memory of her mother, Barbara Ann Humnicky, a beloved school librarian in Indiana whose libraries were always buzzing with energy and vitality.
Naming a room, whether to memorialize a family member or celebrate a favorite professor, is a great way to honor someone. To learn more about this opportunity, visit our giving page or contact our Director of Development ([email protected], 404-413-2707).
Meanwhile, watch for demolition of C Lot to begin in preparation for the Study Commons later this month!
May 26, 2021 Update
Library North Expansion & Greenway Update
The new Library North rooftop terrace is now open. Featuring 92 seats and 23 tables, the terrace is the perfect place to study or take a break on a sunny Atlanta day. The University Library is grateful to the Price Gilbert, Jr. Charitable Fund for their support, which allowed us to purchase the beautiful furniture. Who knew that metal chairs could be so comfortable? Access to the terrace is from the 2nd floor of Library North.
View facing southeast towards the Student Center and Grady Memorial Hospital.
View facing northwest towards the site of the former Kell Hall and the Hurt Building.
Meanwhile, work continues on the greenway.
View facing southeast along the new greenway towards Library North, the Student Center, and Urban Life.
C Lot “Study Commons” Project Approval
Georgia State University Library recently received approval from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to convert the parking area under Library North (C Lot) into a 19,000 square foot student-focused “Study Commons.” The addition of the Study Commons to Library North will bring over 200 additional student seats to the library, increasing capacity by nearly 10%.
“We are grateful to the Board of Regents for approving the project, to the university for its support, and especially to our students, who voted with their fees for expanded and improved library spaces and services,” said Jeff Steely, Dean of Libraries at Georgia State University. “Right now, we are putting the finishing touches on the new, state-funded Library North entrance, with its wonderful outdoor rooftop terrace. This adjacent, ground-level space will add much needed indoor capacity.
The Board of Regents will select an architecture firm over the summer to oversee the design of the Study Commons, with construction taking place throughout 2022 in preparation for an anticipated opening in early 2023. To keep up with the project, visit lib.gsu.edu/reimagined. To learn more about how to support the University Library, including naming opportunities in the Study Commons, contact:
Director of Development
[email protected]
404-413-2707
March 30, 2020 Update
The first step in the Library Reimagined project is the construction of a dramatic new entrance to Library North. This beautiful new space will allow for movement between the new campus greenway and the entrance to Library North one floor above. Collins Cooper Carusi Architects (CCCA) is designing this project. The Georgia Legislature allocated the funding for this project.
Rendering of the Library North Greenway Entrance
The next planned phase is creation of a new student study space in the place of the C Lot beneath Library North. CCCA is currently working on a feasibility study and cost estimate for the project. We expect that the project will add more than 100 seats for students. You can make a difference and help us create this new library space. Please give online to the Library Future Fund. To learn about naming opportunities, contact:
Director of Development
(404) 413-2707
[email protected]
Spring 2018 Update
Architectural rendering of the re-imagined library
The Georgia State University Library, as it seeks to be a national model of the innovative research library, aims to provide dynamic physical and virtual spaces in support of our Strategic Intentions. With this in mind, the University Library has developed a master plan for the Atlanta campus library. The result is a plan which will guide our space decisions in the years ahead.
Pfeiffer, the architectural firm we partnered with, revealed the plan to campus on January 24, 2018.
We value your feedback on the plan. Please use the Library Reimagined feedback form to share your thoughts and suggestions.
Financial support of alumni and friends is essential to creating the Library Reimagined. Give online to the Library Future Fund, or contact:
Director of Development
(404) 413-2707
[email protected]