{"id":54782,"date":"2026-01-15T17:47:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T23:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/?p=54782"},"modified":"2026-01-15T17:48:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T23:48:19","slug":"dick-smith-library-expansion-open-at-tarleton-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/dick-smith-library-expansion-open-at-tarleton-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Dick Smith Library Expansion Open at Tarleton State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

STEPHENVILLE, Texas \u2014 Tarleton State University marked a major milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded Dick Smith Library.<\/strong> The event celebrated the first phase completion of a transformative project designed to enhance student success, collaboration and study opportunities on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"University
Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley and Mrs. Kindall Hurley, Interim Provost Dr. Barry Lambert and Dean of University Libraries Dr. Katherine Quinnell, pose with members of the Tarleton State Student Government Association and Tarleton State Ambassadors during a ribbon-cutting for the Dick Smith Library expansion.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The expansion adds approximately 10,000 square feet of modern academic space across two levels of the library, creating an environment designed to support a wide range of student needs and learning styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Dick Smith Library expansion is more than new square footage \u2014 it\u2019s a vibrant hub for learning, connection and innovation,\u201d said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. \u201cThis space embodies our dedication to providing Texans with exceptional environments that support their academic journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New features include a 24-hour student commons with flexible furniture for individual study and small-group work, as well as small-group study tables equipped with presentation technology to encourage collaboration. The expansion also offers a multifunction meeting and classroom space for instructional use and group gatherings, an inviting exterior patio with seating for outdoor study and relaxation, and a striking new front entrance off Texan Trace that enhances access and visibility for the campus community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA great university library isn\u2019t just a place to store knowledge, it\u2019s where students engage with the subject matter and each other,\u201d said Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Barry Lambert. \u201cWith this expansion, we\u2019re giving students more ways to learn, practice and collaborate, in spaces designed for the pace and demands of higher education today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Named for philanthropist and scholar Dick Smith, the Dick Smith Library has long served as the academic heart of the Stephenville campus. From its early years in shared campus spaces to its first dedicated building in 1956, the library has received multiple expansions, including a major renovation in 1985 that doubled its size and added modern amenities such as an audio-visual room, computer lab and meeting spaces. The new expansion is part of the university\u2019s broader efforts to enhance campus infrastructure in response to sustained enrollment growth and evolving student needs, reinforcing Tarleton State\u2019s commitment to the student experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

STEPHENVILLE, Texas \u2014 Tarleton State University marked a major milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded Dick Smith Library. The event celebrated the first phase completion of a 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