Karis Hudgins, Social Media Manager/Associate Editor and Jordan Nolte, Staff Writer 

The Walter Clinton Jackson Library on the campus of UNC Greensboro is currently undergoing a significant transformation, with major improvements on the way. The project marks one of the campus’s largest construction renovations in recent years and will improve the library’s accessibility and atmosphere for all visitors. Although many current students will not see the final result before graduation, the changes being made will impact generations of Spartans.  

Inside the library, construction crews are hard at work, busy removing old shelves, furniture, and ceiling tiles, while also tearing down walls to make room for new designs. While some students have reported disruptions from the noise and blocked sidewalks, in truth, these are positive signs of progress occurring. “We are hopeful that in November they will start doing some exterior work so that when you walk by the library, there will be visible progress,” said Amy Houk, Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning. 

One of the most noticeable changes will be the significant increase in space and seating capacity. Currently, the library can accommodate a total of 1,200 people at a time. As UNCG’s student population increases, students often struggle to find open tables or study rooms, especially during peak times such as midterms and finals. The renovation plans aim to find a solution to this as the seating capacity will nearly double, allowing over 2,200 people to work simultaneously. This expansion will not only ease the issue of a once overcrowded study environment but also create more inclusive conditions. In addition to more seating, there will be extra individual workspaces, group study spaces, and rooms dedicated to tutoring and teaching.  

Beyond academics, the library will also include several wellness-themed spaces geared towards a variety of students’ needs. Among those will be a meditation room, a family study area to assist students and staff who are parents, and a multi-sensory room adapted for those who may benefit from sensory experiences. These additions reflect the university’s and the Jackson Library’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. 

While the end date of this ongoing project remains flexible, according to Jackson Library FAQs, phase 1 of the renovation, which focuses specifically on the Tower, is expected to continue until late 2026. Houk states, “The official timeline is still up in the air, but that is actually good news because we have been able to add additional features which is what is increasing the timeline.” 

 In the 2023-2024 budget, the North Carolina legislature allocated $17 million in inflationary increases to the project’s original $81 million budget, giving the library a total of $98 million to work with. Because of this, new doors have been opened, allowing the team to add features that were once considered wish-list items.  

Among the upgrades are new windows on the west side of the library tower, designed to provide lots of natural light. “In the old tower, it was very fluorescent,” Houk states. “It wasn’t necessarily the most ideal study environment. I personally prefer natural light.” The new design aims to make the library a more welcoming and energizing place to study, prioritizing the comfort and productivity of students. 

Additionally, a new entrance near the Spencer Residence Hall will lead straight into the Digital Media Commons. “Those were things that we didn’t necessarily think we would be able to afford,” Houk said, “but now we actually have enough funding left over to do those things.” Following the reopening of the Tower, phase two of construction, focusing on the main building of the library, which faces College Avenue, will begin. The details of this plan can be reviewed by students through the official agenda released in Spring 2024.  

Although the Tower is currently closed, Jackson Library staff remain committed to assisting students with everything they need to succeed academically, professionally, and personally. The limited study areas currently available in the library have raised frustration among students, so to ease the transition period, staff have created an online guide to help students access alternative study spots around campus. Updates, photos, and progress reports will continue to be posted weekly on The Jackson Library homepage as well as the Renovation Review Blog. Furthermore, the library has posted a Spartan Study Playlist to motivate students no matter where they choose to work.  

When the doors to the Jackson Library Tower reopen, students and staff will return to a brighter and more collaborative space designed with their needs in mind. “The goal of the renovation is simple,” Houk said. “We want it to be a space where students feel comfortable and where they can be productive and get their work done.”