V. 57 no. 1, Fall 2012, Focus: Friends of the Goucher College Library Newsletter

              THE FRIENDS OF THE GOUCHER COLLEGE LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
The Athenaeum: A New Landmark
Sarah Kendall '08, Focus editor
A view from inside the Athenaeum. Photo by Jeff Tryon
This summer, Library Journal chose Goucher
College's library and Athenaeum as its No. 1
New Landmark Library of 2012. This honor
recognizes "iconic" academic library facilities,
and the Athenaeum—chosen for its design,
sustainability, beauty, and community engagement—certainly warrants this special accolade.
To make the Athenaeum dream a reality, key
task forces gathered input from a variety of
stakeholders and shared their recommendations for Goucher's new flagship building with
President Sanford J. Ungar and RM JM/Hillier
architects. In June 2009, countless hours
of planning and hard work paid off with the
creation of a 103,000-square-foot, sustainable
building. With environmental perks such as
two green roofs, a rain garden, solar-heated water, recycled materials, and efficient mechanical
systems, the Athenaeum blossomed in the center of campus. The library, however, serves as
the building's centerpiece, with all other components working to complement or expand the
reach of the library. Goucher College Librarian
Nancy Magnuson said, "We were thrilled to be
singled out in this competition, which was offered for the first time this year and considered
libraries built between 2007 and 2011."
As the role of libraries has evolved over the
past decade, so have their purpose, function,
and design. Goucher has created a space where
innovation, collaboration, and new discoveries meet. Come explore the Siebert Center for
young adult novels, picture books, and other education materials; visit the Silber Art Gallery;
discover the Mikulski Information Commons;
and browse four floors of stacks filled with
books, magazines, and media materials.
In its article, Library Journal noted the 47
percent increase in library use since the Athenaeum opened. We can only imagine how far
this number might climb as students realize the
wide-reaching capabilities of Goucher's newest
building, its library, and its staff.
FALL 2012
Vol. 57 No. 1
oA dA^ncy Watz
(fMmi-ftreasury
To purchase packages of A
Nancy Patz Mini-Treasury
(eight different illustrated
notecards with envelopes
for $10 + postage) to
benefit the FOL, please
contact Randi Kennedy,
assistant to the college
librarian, at 410-337-6362
or at randalynn.kennedy@
goucher.edu.