Downtown Library renovation supports UT San Antonio’s expansion in the urban core

By Germaine Age Williams

Renovations and expanded collections support growing academic programs and provide more learning resources for students and faculty downtown.

A student studies in the newly renovated Downtown Library.

As UT San Antonio continues to expand its academic footprint in San Antonio’s urban core, the university is investing in resources to support students and faculty, including renovations and expanded collections at the Downtown Library in the Buena Vista District.

Located on the second floor of the Buena Vista Building, the library underwent renovations beginning in late May to prepare for an increase in student traffic as more academic programs move downtown. UT San Antonio Libraries transferred approximately 10,000 books and other materials from the John Peace Library (JPL) on the Main Campus to the Downtown Library. The materials include books from the general collection, literature and curricular resources that support teaching, learning and research.

The library enhancements are part of the university’s ongoing investment in its downtown presence, which has expanded in recent years with the addition of San Pedro I and San Pedro II, the Southwest Campus and One Riverwalk Place, as well as student housing at The Continental. 

This fall, the relocation of the College of Education and Human Development to the Downtown Campus brought more students and faculty downtown, increasing demand for library resources closer to their classrooms and offices.

“As more students and faculty make the Downtown Campus their academic home, we want to ensure our library spaces and collections grow with them,” said Dean Hendrix, vice provost and university librarian for UT San Antonio Libraries and Museums. “These improvements reflect our commitment to meeting students and faculty where they are, creating welcoming spaces for learning and collaboration, and ensuring that the resources they need are readily accessible.”

Additional library enhancements

The Downtown Library received new furniture, fresh paint and carpeting as part of the renovations.

The renovation also includes a new Curriculum Collections Room that houses hands-on teaching tools and instructional materials from the Education Collection. Open to students and faculty, the room features a large central worktable where they can examine materials and explore resources that support classroom instruction and learning.

Students and faculty can take advantage of the course reserves and laptop lending services. They can request and receive library materials through services including Get It For Me (GIFM), locker pickup and curbside pickup. Faculty based at the Downtown Campus can take advantage of office delivery services.

Other updates to the library include new furniture, fresh paint and carpeting. The library also offers 20 desktop computers for students and one guest computer, providing access to technology for coursework and research.

The library is open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, giving students access to study space and academic resources throughout the week.

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