New & Updated Spaces – Fall 2025

Steenbock Memorial Library recently launched a transformative renovation of its first floor that will add two large active learning classrooms, alongside an exciting update to the study spaces and the BioCommons (open by Fall 2026).  This 1st floor is currently closed. For more details on what to expect please view our updates page.

Over the summer, we’ve made a number of exciting updates to the rest of Steenbock that we wanted to share with you, including: 

• The Prayer & Reflection Space has been modernized, expanded and moved to 4th floor
• 3 Group Study Cubbies added to the 3rd floor
• Increased group and individual/quiet study spaces through Steenbock

Prayer & Reflection Space Modernization, Expansion & Move to 4th Floor

The Prayer & Reflection Space has been expanded and has two drop-in “rooms” for meditation, prayer & spiritual connection, and mental health breaks. It has a new location on the fourth floor of Steenbock (see [floor plan].  This new location has  two adjacent spaces with partial wall dividers with a chair, shoe rack, cushions and mats provided. 

3 Group Study Cubbies Added to 3rd Floor

If you were used to studying in the 1st floor BioCommons group study cubbies, don’t fret!  With sustainability in mind, materials from the 1st floor were reused to create three 4-person group study cubbies on the third floor.  These spaces have partial wall dividers and are not reservable.

Increased Group and Individual/Quiet Study Spaces Throughout Steenbock

This summer we continued to expand the amount  and types of seating throughout the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors study spaces.  Highlights include:

• 3rd floor
  • Booth seating along the east windows with a great view
  • A laptop bar that we’re piloting along 2 sides of the 3rd floor atrium walls — let us know what you think!
  • Additional open study/group tables and soft seating
• 4th floor
  • In addition to the new Prayer & Reflection Space, we’ve added seating at tables and carrels for individual and quiet study.

We hope you have a great start to the semester and look forward to hearing from you about how these new spaces meet your needs!

Interested in sharing your ideas for how our spaces could meet your needs?
Please share your feedback here