Hunt Library at NCSU

For three years MeadWestvaco (aka MWV, now WestRock) had their engineering and product development departments on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University. Just before we left, the back parking lot was closed and work began on the Hunt Library. The library is now complete, and it's a spectacular structure.

An overview of the main lobby/reading room.

The modern "circulation desk" is still in the customary location near the entrance to the library, but since so much is done on line (or robotically -- see below), it's really downsized.

The "stacks" are very utilitarian. Libraries have always struggled with how to house the heart of their collection: books and periodicals. This is the modern solution for housing 2 million volumes.

The books are retrieved by "Robert the Robot".

Retrieval in action.

A box of books being retrieved. Since the computer keeps track of where a book is "shelved", the books are organized more by size than by topic. Retrieval time is typically about 5 minutes between making the request and having the book ready at the circulation desk.

The library is loaded with technology. In this room, visitors can choose which among several dozen displays and presentations to view.

There were many group study rooms, including several set up as specialized spaces for music or CAD or presentations. This duck appeared to have two heads when viewed with its reflection in a glass door.

The stairways between levels were painted this bright yellow, and one half was set up as bleachers with cushions for sitting. The caption below the large screen in the center says "The Dynamic Sun will return shortly" -- I presume after the clouds go away!

I really liked this wall-sized art. I thought it had some resemblance to Arabic calligraphy. Turns out the title is  "Nature of Language". (For those who want to know, the artist is José Parla.)

Another reading/study area. Each area had a different style of chair. Some of the chairs were "out of the box", while others were more conventional.

The top floor has an outdoor patio. This is a view of the building that MeadWestvaco occupied.

The outside patio also overlooks the lake where a rower and geese were paddling.