Tidewater Community College: Joint-Use Library

The 120,000-square-foot Joint-Use Library in Virginia Beach, VA, operated jointly by Tidewater Community College (TCC) and the City of Virginia Beach, is affectionately referred to as “the jewel.” The awe-inspiring structure, which houses more than 128,000 items ranging from bestsellers to college textbooks, features soaring staircases, a two-story atrium, colorful wall hangings, comfy furnishings and plenty of natural light.

Tidewater Community College: Joint-Use Library

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE / VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT and CRAIG MCCLURE / CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH

Opened in August 2013, the Joint-Use Library represents a rare collaboration between an institution of higher education and a municipality. TCC and the City of Virginia Beach partnered to build the $43 million library, with 80 percent of the funding coming from the college and 20 percent from the city.

TCC is the largest provider of higher education and workforce solutions in southeastern Virginia, and the iconic library sits on the largest of TCC’s four campuses. Students and city residents enjoy the full scope of the library’s offerings, which include 360 computers, free WiFi, a dynamic children’s room, collaborative workspaces, a café and numerous private study rooms.

“The Joint-Use Library is a shining example of the entrepreneurial efforts by Tidewater Community College, and a jewel to the students at TCC and to the residents of Virginia Beach,” TCC President Edna V. Baehre- Kolovani says. “This partnership is an unparalleled resource that will benefit the Hampton Roads community for decades to come.”

RRMM Architects of Norfolk, VA, teamed with two California firms, Carrier Johnson of San Diego, nationally known for library designs, and Anderson Brule of San Jose, specialists in joint-use libraries. The project achieved LEED Gold certification. Environmentally responsible elements include motorized window shades, floor openings designed to enhance the use of natural light, advanced stormwater management techniques using bio-retention ponds and large open spaces, and glass walls to provide scenic exterior views for more than 90 percent of interior spaces.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • ClassVR headsets

    Avantis Education Revamps Hardware for ClassVR Solution

    Avantis Education recently announced the launch of two new headsets for its flagship educational VR/AR solution, ClassVR. According to a news release, the Xcelerate and Xplorer headsets expand the company’s offerings into higher education while continuing to meet the evolving needs of K–12 users.

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • DLR Group Hires Higher Education Business Development Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that Senior Associate Megan Todd will serve as its new Higher Education Business Development Leader, according to a news release. Her responsibilities will include building the firm’s reach and client relationships in the California higher education sector, based out of San Diego.

  • ClassVR Wins Tech & Learning Best of Show at ISTELive 25

    Avantis Education recently announced that its flagship product, ClassVR, won the Tech & Learning Best of Show Award at ISTELive 25 in San Antonio, Texas, according to a news release. The program is designed to celebrate products that are “transforming education in schools around the world and that show the greatest promise for the industry,” and this is the fourth consecutive year that Avantis has claimed the award.

Digital Edition