Interior Renovation of Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Library Begins Later this Month

Primary Document: Hesburgh Library Master Plan (56 pages; PDF)
From Notre Dame News:

In the wake of the 50th anniversary of the University of Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Library, the University will begin an interior renovation of the iconic building later this month.
Named in honor of President Emeritus Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., the Hesburgh Library is the flagship for Notre Dame’s library system, collectively called the Hesburgh Libraries. Grand in both vision and scale, the building is more than 440,000 square feet, stands 14 stories tall and is believed to have been the largest collegiate library of its day.
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The project will address the changing needs of students, faculty and staff as they encounter new and evolving forms of scholarship in the digital age.
“The need for library spaces has not changed. It’s how we must use our library spaces and what expertise and services we offer our students and faculty that has changed,” said Edward H. Arnold University Librarian Diane Walker. “The mission of the library is, and always has been, to connect people to knowledge. In order to fulfill this mission, we must evolve to meet the changing demands for teaching, learning and research here at Notre Dame.”
The master building program plan provided by Shepley Bulfinch, the architectural firm of record, was created with input from students and faculty across campus. As much of the interior space appears as it did in 1963, the proposed changes will transform almost every corner of the 14-story structure. Phase One of the comprehensive project is called the Entrance Gallery, and Tower Floor Ten. Future phases will be completed over several years depending on future benefaction.
“Since we’ll need to keep the library operating throughout the renovation, and so that we can raise funds as we go, the architects have mapped out multiple phases and projects for the work,” Walker said.

Read the Complete Article
Direct to Master Plan (56 pages; PDF)

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