Gordon Olson Library

Minot State University

An aesthetically-pleasing space, the Minot State University Library is a state-of-the-art facility that was accomplished at a cost of $58/sf at a time when the average cost of a library building was $78/sf. Its design anticipated and accommodates the heavy computer use that is now common in a library facility, through incorporating flexible underfloor raceways, cable trays, and glare-free fixtures.

The building establishes a new quadrangle at the western edge of the campus, where the existing buildings do not provide a unified context. The interior plan is arranged around a major central space to provide easy orientation in a large building and a central location for information services. This project was designed by Joel Davy prior to joining JLG Architects. The Gordon Olson Library takes advantage of natural daylighting.