Space - that's the first thing students notice when they walk into UTC's new $48 million library. The magnitude of the space. The variety of the spaces. Or at least that's what they tell Theresa Liedtka, the dean of the library.
"They'll sometimes just walk onto the second floor and jaws drop and eyes open," Liedtka said of when students see the sea of computers for the first time.
The new 180,000-square foot, five-story building is 40 percent larger than the Lupton Library it replaced.
"It's one of the most innovative buildings in Chattanooga," said Dominique Pennington, a computer science senior who was studying in the Roth Grand reading room. "You feel like you're walking through an Ikea store in some parts and in other parts you feel like you're at MIT."
Besides books, most now stored on the ground floor, the UTC Library boasts an advanced media studio, over 200 computers and 37 study rooms. Lietka likes to walk the library at least once a day to see which study spots are becoming student favorites.
"It makes it feel like an actual university," said Bryce Crutcher, a senior studying computer science. "We needed it."
Students echo these sentiments on social media, praising the library on Twitter and Instagram. The Times Free Press paid a visit to see firsthand the culmination of nearly five years of construction and three years of planning.
Light shimmers in the windows of the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Maura Friedman/Times Free Press)
Allison Chapin, a freshman communications major, studies for English by a window at the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. "This library is really sweet and has a good view," Chapin said. (Maura Friedman/Times Free Press)*walks into the new library and Starbucks on campus* *starts slow clap*
— Taylor Clements (@tclemmm) January 5, 2015
(From left) Jacob Tallent and Eric Rhodes of Adman Electric check some wiring at the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Maura Friedman/Times Free Press)THE NEW UTC LIBRARY IS EVERYTHING ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Kacie Sherrell (@you_kc_me) January 5, 2015
Morgan Boyd, sophomore business management major, studies for microeconomics at a computer station in the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. "It's quiet and I'm really enjoying the new library," Boyd said. (Maura Friedman/Times Free Press)the UTC library has a Starbucks. I don't even go there yet & I'm like yass
— i'm chuck bass (@_sdeering) January 9, 2015
Anitrea Harris, a sophomore biology major, looks for the book "Bound Feet in Western Dressing" for her World Civics class on the ground floor of the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. If I could live in the new UTC library, I'd be so happy
— Lindsey Oliver (@LindseyOliv3r) January 8, 2015
A woman reads by a window on an upper floor in the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. the new library is probably the coolest place ever. good job, utc
— alyssa lopez. (@alyssalopez61) January 7, 2015
(From right to left) Third year physical therapy students Nick Peterson, Sarah Deardurff, Caitlin Cararra and Caghey Amerson study at the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. "It does make studying more of a pleasure," Amerson said of the new building. The new library at UTC... Wow
— Sykes, James (@AldidaBonkara) January 7, 2015
Stacks of books sit on moveable shelves on the ground floor of the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn.Shoutout to UTC's new library for being freakin' sweet.
— Jeremy (@J_Mac_26) January 15, 2015
Andy Patterson, a senior molecular biology major, takes in the view at the new UTC library during his first visit on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. He said the old library was "a wide space and cramped at the same time" whereas the new one "looks really modern."Probably the only UTC student that hasn't been to Starbucks nor have I actually seen the entire library or been in for a long period of time
— (Day•Shu) (@__daishamonique) January 14, 2015
Stacks department employee and exercise science freshman Santana Vasquez scans for missing books on the ground floor of the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. "Everything is really thought out and well-planned," Vasquez said of the new building.
Oh yea and whats up #utc with the new library and starbucks!!! #starbreezy
— BiLLZBERRi DOEBOi (@just_billz) January 15, 2015
Jamison Colston, a junior civil engineering major, takes a break from his reading in an armchair at the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. I have yet to go into the new library at utc. #ToDoList
— Kaitlin Oscai (@kaitlin_oscai) January 14, 2015
(From left to right) Third year physical therapy students Nick Peterson, Sarah Deardurff, Caitlin Cararra and Caghey Amerson study in a room with a view at the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Come on UTC. We just got this library. Clean up after yourself & let's keep the library gorgeous ????
— Diviya Mathai (@DiviyaJoseph) January 13, 2015
Stacks department employee and exercise science freshman Santana Vasquez looks for books that were not in their proper places on the ground floor of the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn. *wipes away tear because of UTC's new library* pic.twitter.com/M03EHRC6u7
— Nathan Brown (@_NathanBrown) January 4, 2015
A sign reads "Keep calm and do not reshelve books (we'll do that for you) at the new UTC library on Friday, January 9, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tenn.The new UTC library is my favorite thing.
— Ashlin Rae ?? (@ashlinrae93) January 9, 2015