The Library MakerSpace will relocate to the Undergraduate Library and the Music Library to Davis over the summer. Davis Library will also expand its weekend hours starting in fall 2024.
Two popular library services will relocate by the end of the summer. The moves will provide greater visibility, longer hours and easier access for the Library MakerSpace and the Music Library. Davis Library will also extend weekend hours beginning at the start of the fall semester.
“These moves put essential resources at the very center of campus and make them easier to access,” said Vice Provost for University Libraries and University Librarian María R. Estorino. “When members of the Carolina community return this fall, we invite them to come discover and explore these popular services in their new homes.”
Library MakerSpace at the Undergraduate Library
The Library MakerSpace will move from Venable Hall to the main floor of the House Undergraduate Library beginning May 11. The new space will house the Library’s 3D imaging and printing services, seed library and making supplies and equipment. A soft opening is planned for July.
“It’s a huge win,” said Therese Triumph, head of science academic and research engagement. “The new space is twice the size of the old and will be open longer hours. With greater visibility, we’re looking forward to introducing more people to the world of making.”
The move originated with growth needs for the College of Arts and Sciences. The College will soon construct new teaching labs in the former science library space.
The Undergraduate Library was a natural home for the Library MakerSpace, said Estorino, because the UL already houses creative production resources such as the Media & Design Center. “Bringing these services under the same roof opens up new possibilities for our community and will make the UL the place to go on campus to learn about these technologies,” she said.
Science librarians will relocate to Davis Library. Visit the Library’s contact page to reach them by email, phone or chat.
A new home for the Music Library in Davis
The Music Library will relocate over the summer to the third floor of Davis Library. It will continue to function as a full music branch library, with listening spaces, a seminar room and graduate student carrels.
Plans for moving the Music Library arose as part of preparations for the now-extended Wilson Library Improvement Project.
“Once we began planning for a temporary home during construction, we realized that there are huge benefits to being in Davis Library,” said Steve Weiss, interim music librarian.
At the top of that list are the extended hours that Davis Library will make possible. In Wilson, the Music Library is only accessible on weekdays. In Davis, music collections will be available on weekends and until 2 a.m. weeknights.
Another advantage is the visibility that being in campus’s most-used library will bring. Nearly one million people use Davis Library every year.
“We expect that students who never would have sought out the Music Library in Wilson will soon discover the outstanding collections and the great staff who make the Music Library unique,” said Weiss.
The Music Library will move over the summer and open in its new location by the start of the semester. The first priority is to move collections and set up essential spaces; additional improvements to the space will follow.
Music collections and services may be unavailable for all or part of the summer. Faculty and students needing access to music, books or print journals for teaching or research should email musiclibraryinfo@unc.edu for assistance.
Longer Davis Library hours
All visitors to Davis Library will be able to take advantage of extended weekend hours. Beginning with the fall semester, Davis Library will extend its closing times on Friday and Saturday evenings. The exact times will be posted to the Library’s website by August.
The new hours respond to a combination of feedback and data, said Nerea Llamas, associate University librarian for collection strategy and services.
“Students regularly tell us that they would like more access to Davis Library and a survey we conducted last year showed that these are the hours in greatest demand,” said Llamas. “We are eager to see even more students make use of everything that Davis Library has to offer.”
