By Marshall Swanson

One million people walk through the entrance to Carolina's Thomas Cooper Library every year, and most of them never know what the library has in its vast collections.

That will change dramatically in summer 2008 when the library opens two new wings that will house the crown jewels of its holdings: the S.C. Political Collections, which contain papers of some 70 governmental leaders documenting the state's political history since World War II; and Rare Books and Special Collections, which includes more than 100,000 volumes, artifacts, and other materials approaching $200 million in value.

“Most of us at home don't put our best things at the back door,” said Paul Willis, dean of libraries. “We tend to put them near the front door, and that's what we're going to do here. These new buildings represent an opportunity for us to showcase our collections to provide a better appreciation of what we have.”

Initially envisioned by the late George Terry, former vice provost and dean of libraries, the two new wings were designed by the Columbia architectural firm of Watson, Tate, and Savory. Construction will begin this summer.

The project will represent a quantum leap for the library's physical facilities whose last major upgrade was an expansion of floor space in 1976—before the advent of personal computers.

After the new wings are built, the main building will undergo a multi-year renovation to modernize its basic infrastructure. When the work is completed, the library can concentrate its print collection in compact shelving on the lower levels and make upper levels more student-centered with group study space, more personal computers, and instructional areas to accommodate research.

“The widespread digitization of library holdings has led to a fundamental shift in library patrons' use of electronic and digital products,” Willis said. But now, more than ever, people still need help in using electronic materials as well as a place to work collaboratively.

The new state-of-the-art wings, including the $8 million, three-floor, 32,000-square-foot Political Collections Building on the east (Russell House) side of the library, and the $10 million, four-floor, 40,000-square foot Rare Books and Special Collections Building on the west side, will be funded with a combination of private gifts, federal monies secured by former Sen. Ernest Hollings, grants, and the George Terry Memorial Fund.

Both buildings will feature environmentally friendly “green” elements made possible by a $75,000 Kresge Foundation grant. Both also will have sheltered forecourts at the front, similar to the original Edward Durell Stone-designed main library building. Dual entrances from within and outside Cooper Library will accommodate daily visitors or special events patrons, and orientation galleries will tell visitors about the major purpose of each building's collections.

The political collections wing's lower levels will house shelving space and staff work areas with enough room for the next 20 years of collection acquisition. Floors above ground will house a meeting room and reference facilities for researchers and other public areas.

The rare books wing will have a reference and registration room, reading room, research offices, multipurpose classroom and program space, and seminar rooms. Some major collections will be displayed in dedicated rooms, notably the Matthew J. & Arlyn Bruccoli Collection in a new F. Scott Fitzgerald Room. Shelf space will accommodate a projected two decades of growth. Numerous naming opportunities for physical spaces exist in all three buildings for friends of the University who wish to support the library's endowment.

Herb Hartsook, director of S.C. Political Collections, said the new wing will provide an unprecedented outreach to the state's citizens by making the collections more visible and accessible.

“It will generate more use of the collection,” said Hartsook, noting “the most important thing about getting the wings is that they will showcase in the heart of the Cooper Library what are arguably two of the three key special collections units on campus.”

“The wings are going to enhance our teaching capabilities and our ability to work with the community,” added special collections director Patrick Scott. “The Special Collections Building will bring us up to date for looking after the assets we have and give us the facilities we need to make the best use of those assets, which will contribute to the University's teaching and research.

“They're a major step in a general plan for positioning the library's facilities to let all parts of the library do things better.”

Moreover, the new buildings affirm the library's commitment to establishing repositories where collections will be appreciated and put to good use while they are cared for and well managed, Willis said.

A library supporter with whom Willis had discussed the acquisition of a highly valued collection of rare books said his decision to help was based on evidence he saw that the library “placed a good bit of importance” in its collections.

“These materials have the capacity to inspire young people,” said Willis, noting that the collections “enhance the educational experience and in turn, the reputation of the University.