Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., has completed a $9.3 million renovation of its campus library.
The Black Hills Pioneer reports that the E.Y. Berry Library-Learning Center has been closed since October 2020 while the interior of the 60,000-square-foot facility was upgraded. The university also has built a 4,000-square-foot addition to the library’s second floor.
The facility was built in 1973 and needed an upgrade to keep up with modern educational demands. Deborah Liddick, assistant director of facilities and sustainability, says the renovation has created a place where students can go to meet all their needs, whether it's finding a quiet place to study, or meeting with their advisers.
With 11 study rooms throughout the building, many students are able to meet in groups without disturbing others studying by themselves.
The building also now has a career center, tutoring center, writing lab, math lab, innovation lab, help desk, advisers’ offices and study rooms. The furniture in the building includes couches, "comfy" chairs, and desk cubicles.
While the library was shut down, students used the student union as a place to study on campus.
The library also will have a bagel shop, which Liddick says will be added over winter break.
