Facilities
The Kelvin Smith Library opened in 1996, deliberately sited on the central grid of the campus master plan. KSL consolidated the collections of two former libraries into a building that quickly became known as the Heart of the Campus.
A hallmark of its design initiative was a focus on people as well as materials, offering a wealth of light, open spaces that inspire learning and accomodate collaborative efforts. Plans also focused on incorporating new technologies into the library environment, thinking forward to how people might use the library in the future, and what their tecnological needs and preferences might be in the coming years.
Kelvin Smith Library serves as the main library for the university, and welcomes all who have research needs. KSL and its branch libraries and satellite collections has a combined collection strength of over 1.7 million items. It manages collections and services for the College of Arts and Sciences, the Case School of Engineering, and the Weatherhead School of Management.
Building Features:
Researchers enjoy a variety of study spaces, collections, and services that include:
1,300,000 monographs, 7,500 serial titles, U.S. Government reports, 16,000 media & more
collections housed on 30 miles of compact movable shelves to maximize space
300+ databases and 35,000 electronic journals
varied seating styles for 900, study tables & carrels with ethernet and electrical capability
a wireless network throughout
group study rooms
Center for Statistics &Geospatial Data (text/data integration), GIS, large format printer
Samuel B. & Marian K. Freedman Digital Library, Language Learning and Multimedia Center on the main floor of KSL, a partnership between the Kelvin Smith Library & the College of Arts and Sciences
Building & Architectural Information
KSL was the first academic library to house its entire collection on compact movable shelving units, a decision that enabled the architects to allocate 40% of its open spaces for people, instead of the 7-8% found in most libraries. The unusal shape of the 144,000 square foot building creates many nooks for people to sit by a window, near a balcony, in a glass enclosed room, or in a wing chair by a fireplace.
Situated in Clevelands museum circle and next to Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, the classical Indiana limestone exterior blends in with its gracious neighbors and provides a dramatic juxtaposition with its interior of soaring spaces, atria, clerestory windows, and a signature curving staircase of a modern industrial style that is capped by a modern rose-window in the roof. Attention to design detail is evident in KSL's ceilings, walls, light fixtures and patterns, curvilinear motifs, and its varied interior furnishings that invite people to work and study comfortably alone, or in groups. All windows are equipped with recessed shades that afford clear vision to the outside, while offering protection from harmful UV rays and overly bright light. Serene by day, dramatic by night, KSL welcomes researchers to enjoy its spaces, collections, and services, as tradition meets technology and continues to look towards the future.
Interior Design & Function
Custom-designed large study tables suit the large volume of interior space. Tables, carrels, drum tables are crafted from rift-cut red oak, with black laminate surfaces. Recessed electrical/network ports are carefully designed to maintain every inch of flat surface for a person to work with materials as well as a computer. KSL is also a fully wireless building, so that research can occur throughout the building's four floors.
Seating meets the needs of those who study, conduct group disccusions, or comfortable casual meetings & conversations. A variety of wood and leather desk chairs, large-scalled wood and leather lounge chairs, sofas, study booths and cafe-style tables and seating invite people to study in style. Group Study Rooms on the 3rd floor and Lower Level are equipped with movable tables & chairs, ports and whiteboards, are available on first-come basis, accomodating small and mid-sized collaborative efforts.
Read more details about KSL, built to last 100 years, and ever-changing!
Design Credits