Wolf Law Library Featured on Magazine Cover; Receives Kudos for Design
A photo of the spacious and bright circulation area of the new Wolf Law Library at the College of William & Mary is featured on the cover of the May issue of AALL Spectrum,the monthly magazine of the American Association of Law Libraries. Earlier this month at a ceremony in Virginia Beach, the new library received accolades from the Hampton Roads chapter of the American Institute of Architects, which presented a Design Achievement Award to Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, the building's architects. The Wolf Law Library opened in summer 2007 after two years of construction.
The magazine's May cover highlights its "8th Annual Architecture Series" and the edition includes stories about construction and renovation projects written by law librarians from the Washington State Attorney General Research Center and four law schools - Pace University, the University of Colorado, the University of New Mexico, and William & Mary.
Reference Librarian Paul Hellyer and Wolf Law Library Director Jim Heller co-authored the William & Mary entry, titled "A New Library for America's Oldest Law School." The article details the two-year, $16.5 million dollar addition and renovation project that resulted in an entirely new library 60 percent larger than its 1980s-era predecessor. In their article, the authors stressed that it was "designed for students," and features abundant seating (568 total seats for the Law School's approximately 600 students), two reading rooms, 12 group study rooms, and wireless Internet access on all three floors. In addition, design choices such as panoramic windows, cork flooring to reduce noise, and wood paneling throughout contribute to "a very comfortable and inviting atmosphere."
Jim Heller, director of the Law Library and professor of law at William & Mary, said he was "thrilled" to see the new library featured prominently in the magazine, which is received by the more than 5,000 members of the American Association of Law Libraries. As for the design award from the Hampton Roads Chapter of the AIA, Heller said "the library was the result of true collaboration between the architects, our builders W.M. Jordan, the project managers at the College, and Law Library staff. Faculty and students are delighted to have this wonderful place to research, study, and socialize - a real melding of form and function."
The Wolf Law Library was the beneficiary of a major gift from Hank and Dixie Wolf. Hank Wolf, of Norfolk, is a member of the William & Mary Class of 1964 as well as a 1966 graduate of the Law School. He recently retired as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation. Wolf also serves on the College's Board of Visitors where he is Vice Rector.
Read the article, by Paul Hellyer and Jim Heller. Wolf Law Library photos featured in AALL Spectrum by Chris Cunningham.