As the primary focus of the first phase of Liberty University’s new master plan, the Library and Academic Commons is a vibrant hub of student activity situated at the spatial and social heart of campus. Compared to prototypical libraries of the past, Liberty’s flagship library reverses the notion of book storage as the central motive of a library’s design in favor of a user-centric layout that places student activity in the foreground. The building provides a wide range of flexible spaces that encourage more informal groupings. The Library is also strategically organized to provide a range of scales for studying, from quiet, individual zones, to medium sized lounges, to the large Learning Commons and public gathering areas.

Customer service is a major component of the physical design of the building, dismantling barriers between users and library staff. This active model of assistance, inspired by the concierge-style service found in the hospitality industry, transforms research from a once-daunting chore into an interactive and enriching process.

A state-of-the-art Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), found in a handful of libraries in the nation, allows Liberty to house their growing collection while using just 1/7th of the space needed for traditional shelving. To facilitate browsing, the library displays approximately 67,000 of the newest and most frequently used materials in a four-story book tower and two-story reading room. This storage strategy allows for more space and openness, putting academic and social activity on display.