New Main Library
What is the new Main Library?
A place for gathering. For learning. For community.
The new Main Library will be a major destination in Uptown Charlotte; a free, open, and accessible information hub for Mecklenburg County long timers, newcomers, and those just stopping through. As Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s flagship location, it will be an architecturally distinctive, state-of-the-art, technologically advanced knowledge center, where everyone in the community can access the resources of a 21st century library. All will be welcome.
Main Library Update Video: Drone footage of Main Library building progress
Where will the new Main Library be located?
New destination. Same location.
The new Main Library will be built on the same site as the current main library: the 300 block of North Tryon Street, also known as the corner of 6th & N. Tryon Streets. It is the same site where the original Carnegie Library – the first free library in Mecklenburg County – stood in 1903.
New Main will continue to be an inviting place to learn, grow, and engage with others in the community.
Learn more about the Seventh & Tryon Development.
What will be inside of the new Main Library?
Exploration. Opportunity. Knowledge.
Level One - Community
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Knight Hall – The dynamic grand lobby
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Open air courtyard
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Forum for new, innovative programming
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Popular collection showcase including NYT bestsellers and latest releases
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Immersive theater area for live performances with digital integration
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Café
Level Two - Opportunity and Innovation
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Opportunity and career center
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Innovation lab supports the conception and development of new ideas
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Technology hub
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Digital visualization lab provides resources and support for discovering, analyzing, and visualizing information
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New resident welcome center
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Outdoor terrace
Level Three - Reference and Research
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Collections
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Study carrels
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Multi-purpose classroom
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Reference hub
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Community “living room” for open, salon-style conversations
Level Four - History and Genealogy
- Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room
Level Five - Destination
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Destination reading room provides a quiet retreat for traditional library visitors
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Event space
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Catering kitchen
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Outdoor terrace
The new Main Library will have a lower level that houses staff space and storage.
What is the timeline for completion of the new Main Library?
How much will the new Main Library cost?
The total funding allocation of the new Main Library project is $137.33M. Mecklenburg County is investing $72.33M and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation is raising $65M in private support.
Learn about the Foundation’s CommonSpark campaign to financially support the New Main Library project.
Meet the Project Team
Snøhetta
For nearly 30 years, Snøhetta has explored spaces dedicated to cultivating knowledge with the design of new libraries, museums and educational buildings. They aspire to create places that enliven, activate and diversify. Snøhetta kick-started its career in 1989 with the competition-winning entry for the new library of Alexandria, Egypt. This was later followed by the commission for the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo, the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center in New York City, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Expansion in California, among many others. Since its inception, the practice has maintained its original trans-disciplinary approach, integrating architectural, landscape, interior and brand design in all of its projects. Recent library projects include the James B. Hunt Library in Raleigh, N.C. completed in collaboration with Clark Nexsen, as well as the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre in Toronto and the construction of Calgary’s New Central Library.
Clark Nexsen
Clark Nexsen is an ideas-based architecture and engineering firm focused on creating spaces and experiences that positively impact people’s lives. With nearly a century of design practice, the firm is ranked by Building Design + Construction as a Top 10 firm for both university and government work. Clark Nexsen was honored as Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects’ North Carolina chapter in 2017. With 10 U.S. locations, the firm has offices in Charlotte, Asheville and Raleigh, N.C. Locally, they have designed numerous new and renovated buildings for UNC Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Recently completed library experience includes the James B. Hunt Library at NC State University, in collaboration with Snøhetta, and Semans Library at the UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.
Rodgers Ι Leeper
Rodgers Leeper is an association between Rodgers Builders, Inc. (Charlotte, NC) and R.J. Leeper Construction, LLC (Charlotte, NC). Founded in 1963, Rodgers is one of the largest woman-owned construction managers in the US, and nationally ranked among the Top 100 CM-at-Risk firms by Engineering News Record for the past 10 consecutive years. Founded in 1993, RJ Leeper Construction is the largest African American-owned construction manager in Charlotte. As two locally owned companies deeply involved in our cultural community, together we have demonstrated our commitment, care and concern for Mecklenburg County with nine successful partnerships totaling over four million square feet.
Mecklenburg County Asset and Facility Management
Asset and Facility Management (AFM) provides master planning, space planning, architectural design and construction administration services for the development of general government, detention, and Park & Recreation facilities. AFM is responsible for Mecklenburg County’s property inventory through the acquisition and disposition of real property. AFM manages the maintenance of all County owned buildings with the exclusion of Park properties.
*All images are renderings*