Nash Library & Student Learning Commons

Harris County, TX, is happy to welcome back two branches damaged in 2017 by Hurricane Harvey. The Galena Park Branch, 6,922 square feet, reopened on April 23 following roof repairs and the replacement of the HVAC system. The 12,000 square foot Katherine Tyra Branch @ Bear Creek, Houston, reopened on April 30. It was swamped by nine inches of water from the storm, affecting materials, furniture, supplies, and technology.

The ideaX Makerspace opened in Bellevue, WA, on April 14. The 3,000 square foot creativity space is the first of its kind in the King County Library System (KCLS). Designed by the Miller Hull Partnership, ideaX features six “modules”: robotics, electronics, music and digital sound mixing, 3-D printing, digital media, and game design. The first-floor space, formerly the children’s area, cost $900,000 through a partnership with the KCLS Foundation and includes a $100,000 grant from Google.org.

Established as the Learning Resource Center in 1973, Gannon University’s Nash Library & Student Learning Commons, Erie, PA, reopened in January following a $16 million renovation. The work on the 87,400 square foot facility encompasses a STEM Center and a Writing & Research Center; a tech support center; a café and food service space; a presentation studio; two new entrances; twice as much seating; a 28-seat computer lab; 30 more PC and Mac workstations; flex spaces; 49 study/collaboration rooms; outdoor seating; and a green roof. The project was led by Shelane Buehler & Associates and Perry Dean Rogers Partners Architects.