Jen Library, Savannah College of Art and Design in the Spotlight!

Savannah College of Art and Design’s main research and visual discovery hub is the Jen Library, located on historic Broughton Street in the heart of downtown Savannah, Georgia. This 85,000 square foot Art Deco-style building was acquired by SCAD in 1996. Originally a department store, the three-story building was remodeled with large windows to provide natural light, and the non-functioning escalator was replaced with a monumental glass staircase. The library was named for benefactors Jim and Lacy Jen in 1999.

SCAD libraries contain nearly 300,000 physical and electronic publications accessible to students across all SCAD campus locations. Among the volumes for research and reference, literary works and periodicals, the collection also includes 2,100 works in book form by artists active from 1960 through the contemporary era, one of the most significant collections of artists’ books in the United States. The Don Bluth Collection of Animation allows students to explore animation drawings, storyboards, and other materials from some of the artist’s most admired work in film, including The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, The Land Before Time, Anastasia and Titan AE.

In an effort to improve students’ experience in the space, the interior of Jen Library was updated in 2014 to include a more user-friendly circulation and reference desk, built-in study nooks, a fresh collection of artwork by SCAD alumni, and new furnishings that are both flexible and functional. Built-in power stations in the furnishings, ipad lookup stations for browsing the catalogue, and more computer workstations provide students with enhanced workspace, while hanging chairs and comfortable couches create a relaxed space to take a break. A highlight of the redesign is a custom, large-scale light table that can accommodate multiple students working on drawing projects. As a student-centered university, SCAD recognized the importance of the students’ perspective in creating an environment that is beautiful but also functional. The result is a visually inspiring design that also offers a choice of comfortable workspaces for every student.

To learn more about the Jen library services and facilities, visit the SCAD libraries website at http://library.scad.edu/