College's Madigan Library Honored for Outstanding Design

The Madigan Library at Pennsylvania College of Technology has been recognized as an "Outstanding Design" in American School & University magazine's 2011 Architectural Portfolio a premier showcase celebrating the best in educational design.

The 1,000-seat facility opened in August 2006 and has become a campus destination for students and the community. In addition to offering extensive library facilities and collections, The Madigan Library incorporates an art gallery, college archives and a café, filling the nearly 105,000-square-foot space.



"The recognition is validation that The Madigan Library is one of the top libraries in the country," said Benedict H. Dubbs Jr., principal architect for Murray Associates Architects, P.C., Harrisburg, the firm that designed the facility. "We are extremely thankful to have worked in conjunction with the senior administration and library staff to make their dream a reality. The opportunity to design the new Madigan Library was extremely gratifying. The entire design is focused on the needs of the students."

The building's exterior features stone, glass and metal panels, highlighted with a three-story red metal panel marking the front entrance. Other hallmarks include a two-tier glass-encased reading space and a three-story atrium bathing the main circulation path in natural light.

The Madigan Library collections include about 150,000 printed volumes, 1,000 print journals, and an electronic collection in excess of 65,000 items. A primary mission of the library is to support the college's academic curricula.

"Having The Madigan Library provides students with a first-class asset that is so vital to their academic success," said William J. Martin, senior vice president.

American School & University magazine is online. The issue profiling the 2011 Architectural Portfolio honorees will be published in November.

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