Summary
The library is the academic heart of campus, providing resources that fuel innovation and answer anything from quick questions to life-long pursuits of knowledge. With an official presentation space in the newly renovated library, thought-provoking lectures, guest speakers, authors, and panels can engage the campus community to explore intellectual curiosities and inspire dialogue. The space is flexible; perfect for an event for a large or small group, in a casual or formal setting, or for a presentation or a workshop with hands-on activities.
The library is the academic heart of campus, providing resources that fuel innovation and answer anything from quick questions to life-long pursuits of knowledge. With an official presentation space in the newly renovated library, thought-provoking lectures, guest speakers, authors, and panels can engage the campus community to explore intellectual curiosities and inspire dialogue.
As you walk in the main entrance of the building, just beyond the welcome desk, you’ll see a semi-enclosed presentation space that will seat up to 112 people. Designed to provide good acoustics while still being highly visible, this semi-private event space is flexible with a touch of formality. The openings at each corner of the “room” give a peek-through view into the events taking place inside, inviting happenstance or fashionably late guests to wander in. Attendees and catering staff can also come and go without the sound of doors opening and closing or the fear of disrupting the speaker. Lights and sound will all be controlled through a preset touchscreen panel.
As you look up, you’re inspired by the felt baffles hanging from the ceiling that mimic the cloud-filled skies of the Kansas prairie as “The Prairie Awakening” mural by Buck Arnold and other art bring the space to life.
The space is flexible; perfect for an event for a large or small group, in a casual or formal setting, or for a presentation or a workshop with hands-on activities. There will be multiple options for audio-visual setups, including an option for dual-projector screens on the north wall of the presentation space or a single projector screen on the south wall for smaller groups and the option for mobile monitors throughout.
A large storage area room on the south side will provide a variety of options for setting up the space with different configurations of tables, chairs, and coat racks to welcome your guests. A fridge and sink for catering support will also be located in the storage area to have easy access for providing anything from snacks and beverages to buffet-line meals.
A new entrance to the building will be located just outside the southwest side of the presentation space along the west wall of the building that faces Malloy Hall. This entrance will give easier access to parking for large events.
Can you imagine your next event here? We sure can. We look forward to hosting events and providing this reservable space to the university community in 2026.
