Columbia is moving its library from 624 S. Michigan Ave. to 33 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Many people have an emotional attachment to libraries, but as collections are condensed and become more digital, Columbia’s relocation plan to a smaller space makes sense.

A 2025 survey from the Association of College and Research Libraries shows campus libraries are becoming more digital. The survey, released last month, found that 79.7% of academic library holdings were digital and 98.2% of circulation was digital.

Dennis McGuire, the director of the library, told the Chronicle that library workers have started reviewing books and media to remove from the collection in order to accommodate the new space in the 33 building.

After the move, which is not anticipated to happen before spring 2028, the library will be located in the same building as the Center for Student Success and the Academic Center for Tutoring, allowing easier access to resources for students in the same building.

With more students in the building because of the new spaces, they will now be more prone to visit the new library space.

Construction of the new library space will be paid for from the same $5 million grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education that funded the new Center for Student Success. The college has not planned what they will do with the old space yet but selling it had previously been under discussion.

Though the library has occupied the first five floors of 624 S. Michigan Ave. since 1995, creating much sentimental value, Columbia’s plan is reasonable and may ultimately attract more patrons.

Copy Edited by Mia Smith