Hugh Stephens Library
Library gets a Makeover
The Hugh Stephens Library over holiday break got a makeover that adds a modern flair to the original interior design. The library (the central building of the James Madison Wood Quadrangle) opened in 1964 and mostly had its original furniture.
Armed with a small amount of money from campus, Director Corrie Hutchinson got creative when purchasing some new pieces. She added mod-style maple chairs and new tabletops to the original table legs to create study areas that look as though they could have belonged in the building when it first opened.
"We stayed true to the building and keeping that 60s vibe with a modern twist," she said.
Hutchinson arranged the pieces to create a variety of spaces. There are nine round tables where students can opt to study alone or in groups. Comfortable couches and 60s-style seats create lounge areas where students can read, talk or just relax between classes.
"We wanted to make sure we addressed a lot of different study styles on the main floor while also recognizing the social aspects of a library," Hutchinson said.
She also merged two separate computer spaces into one area, complete with a copier and printer in a convenient location. The library's window coverings were removed to allow natural lighting to stream into the study areas.
Hutchinson would someday like to give the rest of Hugh Stephens Library an upgrade, too, including creating more quiet spaces on the second floor. There's also a vacant office on the first floor she has her eye on: Hutchinson would like to convert it into a meeting room where students could work on projects without worrying about bothering those who are studying. Students could then check out the room, which would have glass walls, a conference table, and a projector and other equipment that would allow groups to make presentations.
