Cal Poly library reopens after nearly $80 million renovation. See inside

The long-awaited return of the Robert E. Kennedy Library at Cal Poly has finally come, as doors opened just in time for the new school year.

After two years of renovations in the concrete brutalist structure, the nearly $80 million project is now available for students to use once again for studying and checking out books, as well as experience a handful of the newly reimagined amenities and spaces within the library.

Some of the changes students can expect to find in the library include a new mural at the entrance of the building, more open space on the first floor, additional 24-hour study areas and a glass-enclosed staircase.

The Kennedy Library has been a fixture at Cal Poly since the 1970s, and the current renovations aimed to amplify existing parts of the structure like the central courtyard, while also enhancing accessibility and creating more space for students.

“We’re giving the building hopefully another few decades to live,” said Carla Brown, program manager for Capital Projects at Cal Poly.

What’s new at the Kennedy Library?

As Cal Poly students begin to fill into the newly renovated Kennedy Library, many will be greeted by a colorful mural that stretches from the outside of the building into the first floor.

The mural depicts a college-aged student who the artist believed represented Cal Poly students, Special Collections and Archives director Jessica Holada told The Tribune.

The completely hand-painted mural illustrates the subject wearing a floral arrangement around her head that spans from the outside of the library into the main entrance inside.

From there, the first floor offers a range of open seating, desks, dual monitors and white boards that are available for 24/7 student use.

The second floor of the library also offers a 24/7 study hub for students, along with several classroom spaces.

Other amenities on the first floor include a Julian’s Cafe, gender-neutral bathrooms, seminar rooms and university services like Print and Copy, the Ombuds Office and the IT Service Desk.

Brown from the university’s Capital Projects was most excited for students to experience the changes to the first floor of the library.

“The entire floor is for students now, and just how bright and how open it feels, I think it will create a new place where people will want to hang out,” Brown said

The five-story structure also includes university centers like the International Center and Teachers’ Resource Center on the third floor, as well as the Tutoring and Learning Center on the second floor.

Meanwhile, a meditation room and the university’s Special Collections and Archives can be found on the third and fourth floors of the library.

What was the library renovation process?

The two-year Kennedy Library renovation project aimed to improve study spaces, make the building more energy efficient and implement a sustainable design, according to Cal Poly’s Administration and Finance website.

According to university spokesperson Matt Lazier, the cost of renovations to the library was nearly $80 million, with an official figure of $79,251,157.

Danielle Buttacavoli, an architect and planner for Miller Hull, emphasized the use of glazing, or glass windows, throughout the building.

The original glass windows in the Kennedy Library were from the 1970s, Buttacavoli said, and provided no insulation which caused excessive heat and chill depending on the temperature outside.

Now, after replacing the windows, installing new LED light fixtures as well as adding new cooling and heating systems, the team was able to reduce energy costs by 30%, according to Buttacavoli.

Buttacavoli said the project was a collaborative effort, with students as the top priority.

Will Cates, contractor and project manager for Hensel Phelps Construction Company, emphasized the importance of the collaborative effort with several stakeholders as well as student groups who would be using the library.

Cates was most excited to gage student reactions, and give them back the library that some have been waiting two years for.

The last 2 years without a university library

During renovations for the Kennedy Library, which closed on June 16, 2023, the university provided students temporary study spaces around campus in the form of white makeshift tents located in Parking Lots C-7 and H-11.

According to Kassidy Church from Cal Poly Partners Communications and Marketing, following a survey asking students where they most often studied last year, the temporary tent in lot C-7 was shut down due to low student turnout rates.

Meanwhile, the survey revealed that many students ended up utilizing the Julian A. McPhee University Union for its 24/7 study space, Church said.

Church added that students in the survey ultimately missed the Kennedy Library space for studying, and that she looked forward to its reopening.

While the library remains open through the start of the school year for Cal Poly students, Holada of Special Collections and Archives said an official opening for the renovated space will be held on Oct. 23, including an artist talk for the mural.

This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM.