On a recent trip to Raleigh, North Carolina to visit our youngest son we had the fun of going to go see the new Hunt Library at North Carolina State University–his alma mater. It was beyond amazing. There’s that word again! It was fabulous!!! It was stupendous! It was incredible! It was out of this world! Okay–enough of the superlatives. 
Aaron had made a donation which secured him a bench outside the library with his name on it. Since there were no names on any of them yet we just designated one and said it was “his”. His brother is asking if there are any hobos on it yet….brotherly love at its finest.
Once inside we tried to take it all in but it was nearly impossible!! Clean, bright, airy with lots of unique meeting and gathering areas greeted us. Interestingly designed seating and conversation areas which seemed to go on and on. It was a great sensory experience to behold .
The most intriguing thing to me was the bookBot. There are no stacks of books like we are used to as in more traditional libraries. Instead a huge glass wall enables visitors to view the bookBot in action on the first floor (Robot Alley ) as four robots deliver books selected through the automated online catalog delivery system to a central location .
This unique system holds up to 2 million volumes in 1/9th of the space of conventional shelving and that allows the library more space for meeting and learning areas. The bookBot is something to behold and pictures don’t do it justice. It is 50 feet wide by 160 feet long by 50 feet tall and is excavated 2o feet below the first floor!
To search for books a screen is accessed to view what selections are available. I was THRILLED to find that there were several copies of my great uncle Rollo Walter Brown’s books available!
There are too many wonders to extol about this library!!! Unique spaces include the following:
- Creativity Studio–a “white box” flexible space that supports a variety of activities with interactive tools
- Teaching and Visualization Lab-a “black box” for projection on a 270 degree space
- Game Lab–for fun and study
- iPearl Immersion Theater–a curved wall that features panoramic imagery and showcases work of students and faculty
- Video Seminar Room–telepresence video
- Fishbowl—a seminar room designed with multi touch display and transparent walls
- Faculty Research Commons
- Graduate Student Commons
- Makerspace–3D printers and a 3D Scanner—this got my husband REALLY excited!
- Skyline Reading Room and Terrace–Highest point on campus ! This got ME really excited!
What a fabulous place! I know that if I lived in Raleigh I would be here ALL the time!!! Aaron…watch out….you may have a permanent house guest!!!
If you would like to see more about the Hunt Library at NCSU just click on this link and you can read all about it! And for goodness sake–if you are ever in Raleigh make this a stop on your itinerary. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
