The James B. Hunt Jr. Library was awarded the 2014 Stanford Prize for Innovation in Research Libraries for its high-tech features, striking design and emphasis on collaboration and reflection.
Thr Hunt Library was one of nine libraries from all over the world competing for the prize. Other notable entries included the Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology’s Ocean Science Library, the National Library of Spain and the Harvard Law Library.
Established last year by Stanford Libraries, the award showcases influential library projects and services that benefit library users in unique ways.
According to an N.C. State newsletter, the Hunt Libarary’s visually interesting and comfortable lounges, state-of-the-art visualization labs and bookBot system helped create the library’s image as a world-class research library.
Vice Provost and Director of Libraries at N.C. State Susan Nutter, said the university was honored to be recognized for its leadership in educational innovation.
“Our vision was to give N.C. State a signature library that would help us recruit the very best students and the very best faculty and to serve the community as an inspiring place of excellence and passion and ideas and vision,” Nutter said.
According to Stanford University Libraries, the winning library must encourage effective and sustainable innovation, but the innovation does not necessarily have to be based solely in technology. However, efforts must produce a measurable impact on the library’s community.
Stanford Libraries also awarded commendations of merit to current projects at the Harvard Law Library and the National Institute for Informatics.