Thomas M. Cooley Law School is investing $6 million in a 63,924 square foot expansion to its existing 75,003 square foot Downtown Lansing library.
The expansion encompasses the former Town Center building on Capitol and Kalamazoo. The two buildings will be connected. Cooley is also adding green space on Washington Square between the existing library and the former Knapp’s building.
“When this is complete, it will be the second largest law library in the country,” says Jim Robb, associate dean for Development and Alumni Relations.
The two-story addition will be called the Center for Research and Study. The first floor will include book stacks as well as study space and a student lounge. A portion of the expansion will be opened 24 hours a day, giving students continual access to Cooley resources.
“As an academic library and government repository, we are continually adding volumes to our collection," says Robb. "The Center for Research and Study will allow us to continue to grow and provide our students with greater access to our collection."
The 30,000 square foot first floor will be renovated first, with a portion of that expansion ready for use early in 2010.The second floor will include study space and classrooms.
During the last couple of years, Cooley’s collection has increased from around 300,000 volumes to roughly 550,000 volumes.
This is the second time Cooley has repurposed a Downtown Lansing building for library space. The existing library is in a former J.C.Penny’s department store. Cooley will seek LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the expansion.
Cooley is in the middle of a $3 million “Campaign for Knowledge” fundraiser that will support part of the project. Cooley also launched the Endowed Scholarship Fund for students who have financial needs.
Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.
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