LMU’s High-Tech Hannon Library Bridges Old, New Styles

Perched on a Westchester bluff-top is a spectacular addition to Los Angeles’ signature landmarks. It shines above West L.A., catching the sunlight and reflecting a new era for Loyola Marymount University. The new William H. Hannon Library on LMU’s campus will be its academic hub, drawing students and faculty to its array of intimate reading areas, large research rooms and small collaboration rooms.  

The library will have its official opening on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m.

The exterior of the 121,000 sq. ft, four-story structure ties the older collection of architectural styles on Alumni Mall with the more modern structures on the north side. “The library functions like a bridge connecting the residential section of the campus to the academic,” said Paul Danna, lead architect on the project for AECOM. “We improved the condition of the existing buildings by connecting existing open spaces and creating new useable places for people, making a richer setting for buildings adjacent to the new library,” said Danna.

Danna was the lead architect for several major projects including the new headquarters for the Los Angeles Police Department in downtown L.A., the Pomona College Science Buildings in Claremont, Calif., and the Rand Corp. headquarters in Santa Monica.  

The library’s circular design, with floor to ceiling windows spans the three above-ground floors and two-story basement. “The form is very traditional, similar to classical structures in Rome,” said Kristine Brancolini, LMU’s dean of the William H. Hannon Library.

The basement provides high-density storage for nearly 1.2 million volumes, leaving most of the upper three levels for user spaces and services. The structure allows for enhanced amenities including 580 user seats, with many that capture the views; more than 80 collaborative study rooms and workstations; a comfortable reading room with a fireplace; a café and media lounge; and multi-media spaces for using music and video materials.

Offering the most advanced technologies of today’s digital libraries, combined with the materials and services of traditional libraries, the William H. Hannon Library represents a new paradigm in the delivery of information services to students.

“Libraries today are designed for teaching and learning, as well as social places. This is really the model of the 21st century academic library,” said Brancolini. “We have the latest technology, the most up-to-date design, event spaces, and room to grow our collections. Our students, our faculty and the community will all benefit from this library.”

The environment will also benefit. The library is expected to qualify for LEED certification, a voluntary program recognizing the best in sustainable features.

“While melding with the more traditional buildings on our campus, the William H. Hannon Library looks to the future,” said Robert B. Lawton, S.J., president of the university. “It will be the intellectual center of our campus, and a place for the community to come together in the pursuit of knowledge.”

The library opening is the culmination of a $63 million project of which $56 million was raised from private sources, including gifts from the William H. Hannon Foundation and the Bill Hannon Foundation.