WKU Libraries wins prestigious award for Outstanding Historic Renovation Project

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University Libraries announced Tuesday The Commons at Helm Library has been honored with the 2024 ALA/IIDA award for Outstanding Historic Renovation Project.

According to a release by WKU, the award recognizes the transformation of the Helm Library into an “exciting and modern space that embodies the essence of scholarship and creativity.”

The Commons at Helm Library project was announced during WKU president Dr. Timothy Caboni’s investiture on April 27, 2018, the release states.

The release further states Caboni “envisioned The Commons as a place where ideas are created, shared and shaped, highlighting its role as the intellectual hub of the university community.” WKU states The Commons represents a “harmonious blend of historic preservation and contemporary design.”

Susann de Vries, Dean of University Libraries and chair of the University Steering Committee, played a crucial role in guiding the renovation project, according to the university. Leveraging her background in academic libraries, historic conservation and a M.S. in Historic Preservation, she worked to merge the building’s rich history with a vision for future student success.

“The Commons at Helm Library has been preserved and reborn to foster a vibrant and inclusive space of collaboration, innovation and academic excellence for many Hilltopper generations to come,” de Vries said.

Brian Watson, design director at Gensler, highlighted the evolving role of libraries in today’s educational landscape. The design of The Commons at Helm Library embodies this forward-thinking approach, providing a seamless blend of individual and social learning spaces, according to the university.

WKU Libraries says it is honored to receive the ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Award for Outstanding Historic Renovation Project, recognizing The Commons at Helm Library as an inspiration of innovation and excellence in library design.

Caboni aptly stated, “While no one graduates from the library, no one graduates without the library.”

The university says The Commons at Helm Library stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of learning and community at WKU.