Update on Billings, by Jeff Marshall

The University has selected the Boston firm of Schwartz/Silver to redesign the Billings Library as a home for Special Collections, the Center for Research on Vermont, and the Center for Holocaust Studies. The concept for Billings places the Special Collections reading room in North Lounge, a classroom and public event space in Marsh Lounge (behind the great fireplace), and exhibit/reception space in the Apse.
The entire ground floor of the existing structure, encompassing the 1987 addition to the eastern side and the basement of Ira Allen Chapel, will be cleared to make room for collection storage and offices. Between the historic first floor of Billings and the ground-floor storage, the old Round Room will accommodate the Center for Digital Initiatives and manuscript collection processing. The rest of this middle level will remain a cafeteria in the first phase of the project, though other uses more compatible with Special Collections may be introduced in a second phase.
One of the most exciting aspects of the plan is the opportunity it provides for collaborations with the Center for Research on Vermont and the Center for Holocaust Studies. Each center will occupy one of the balcony office suites overlooking North Lounge. Working with partners such as the Humanities Center and the Honors College, we will establish Billings as a leading campus intellectual center, integrating teaching, research, speakers, exhibits, and festive events.