Temple Reveals Plans for New Library and Green Space

Temple University released plans to build a large central green space, revamped library and new interdisciplinary sciences building.

The green space, or "campus quad," will be a multi-purpose area clad with trees and benches, Temple's campus architect Margaret Carney said. It will serve the community just as any other urban park — a spot made for walking a dog, lounging with friends or throwing a Frisbee. It will have the potential to be a home for big events, "maybe for commencement some day," Carney said. The plan is to eventually remove outdated research buildings, including Beury Hall and Biology Life Sciences, to increase the size of the existing open space surrounding the Bell Tower. (See renderings in the accompanying photo gallery.).

In an interview this past summer, Temple President Neil Theobald called the new 200,000-square-foot library "one of the most important construction projects in the history of the university." The $190 million facility is planned for the current grounds of Barton Hall between Liacouras Walk and 13th Street. The library is slated to include a robotic text-retrieval system, space for interaction and collaboration, as well as a green roof. It is funded by the state and the university, Carney said. The old Paley Library will become a hub for student services and academic support.

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