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August 24, 2020 750 × 500 2020 Library Design Showcase

Higher Learning

Hesburgh Library, University of Notre Dame in Indiana

The renovation of Hesburgh Library transformed the midcentury modern facility into a place for advanced contemporary scholarship. The project brought natural light into the building’s interior and integrated materials that complement the existing aesthetic. The entrance gallery, which spans the first and second floors, now connects the main entrance and upper 12 floors through an atrium-style opening, and an enhanced technology area lets students access digital services and resources.

Project: Renovation
Architect: Shepley Bulfinch; Alliance Architects
Size: 146,650 square feet
Cost: $25.1 million
Photo: Darris Lee Harris

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Brittany Adams writes: “The digital landscape of libraries is expanding rapidly, with an increasing shift towards electronic resources and online services. As members of the library community, we’re witnessing a transformative era where physical collections are complemented—and sometimes replaced—by digital ones. This transition offers new opportunities for enhancing accessibility and engagement, but it also presents challenges, especially for young patrons and their families. It is essential to equip children and their caregivers with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate this evolving space confidently.”

ALSC Blog, Dec. 9
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College & Research Libraries News, Dec.
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ALA has selected 46 participants for its 2025 class of Emerging Leaders (EL). The EL program allows library staff and information workers to participate in project planning work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity early in their careers. ELs will take part in a day-long session during the 2025 LibLearnX conference in Phoenix this January and work for six months, culminating in a poster session at ALA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia, where they will highlight results of their project planning work.

ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment, Dec. 4
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American Libraries column, Nov./Dec.
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