Groundbreaking ceremonies were held today at Coastal Carolina University for Bryan Information Commons, an addition to Kimbel Library. The $6 million building will be constructed in front of the current library and should be completed by Fall 2011.

Construction should begin in December on the approximate18,000-square-foot addition, which will be a student-centered study/reference/tutorial center available to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will be technology-rich with laptop and work station computers, as well as physical spaces designed to support both individual and small group study efforts of students. The Bryan Information Commons will be a brick and glass structure with expansive windows the entire height of the building to allow the flow of natural light.

"It used to be that a library’s value was measured by the quantity of volumes and the quietude found within," said CCU President David A. DeCenzo. "While the library of today still does hold books, it is increasingly shaped by technology and the rapid flow of seemingly unending information … Today we celebrate the beginnings of a building that will respect the library tradition, yet will capture the energy and enthusiasm of our students, faculty, staff and community in a new environment of discovery."

The library addition is named for the late Rebecca Randall Bryan, a longtime Conway resident and supporter of education and the arts who bequeathed $1.8 million to the University at her death in 1999, along with more than 200 books from her personal library.

The current Kimbel Library, which opened in 1977 with a student population of 1,500, holds 250,000 books (60,000 are online), 100 computers, 30,000 online journals and periodicals as well as 80 laptops that were checked out 37,000 times by students in the past year.