Opened in January 2013, the $115 million James B. Hunt Jr. Library on Centennial Campus is North Carolina State University's second main library. This $115 million facility opened in January 2013 and is best known for its bold architecture and deep technological integration. Step closer in your mind and you’ll picture the large robotic book storage and retrieval system that houses most of the university’s engineering, textiles, and hard sciences collections.
The building carries the name of James Baxter “Jim” Hunt Jr., the four‑term 69th and 71st governor of North Carolina, and it plays a collaborative role: NCSU Libraries participates in the Triangle Research Libraries Network, sharing books between North Carolina State University, Duke University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina Central University. The library’s genesis began with planning in January 2008 through August of that year; the Norwegian design firm Snøhetta, renowned for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, served as lead designer, while Raleigh’s Pearce Brinkley Cease & Lee (now Clark Nexsen) was executive architect. Groundbreaking took place on October 23, 2009.
The campus buildings and the library's distinctive presence spread out before you.