New library at CU-ICAR celebrates opening

Clemson Libraries celebrated the grand opening of its new branch library in the automotive engineering department at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 30.

The new library is located on the fourth floor of the Campbell Graduate Engineering Center. It provides a collection of books specifically for students, faculty and staff from the automotive engineering program, as well as technical and recreational equipment, and delivery services for materials to and from the main campus libraries. The new library also provides research support services, space for individual and collaborative study and will host events and workshops.

“This is something our automotive engineering students and faculty have requested for a while, and I am thrilled that we are now able to offer more resources and services to them through this new branch library,” said Clemson Libraries Dean Chris Cox. “This is just the latest example of how the Libraries is constantly growing and evolving so that we can be the research library that Clemson University needs.” 

“This library will fill a critical need for students and faculty not located on main campus, facilitating the innovation and continuous upward progress that have been the hallmarks of the Department of Automotive Engineering since its founding,” said Laine Mears, chair of the Department of Automotive Engineering and a founding member of its faculty. “With this library, our students and faculty will be much better equipped to drive the future of the automotive industry.”

The new library is already making an impact. The library and the automotive engineering department teamed recently to take the grand prize in the SAE Mobilus Discovery Contest, held by SAE International to promote the use of the SAE Mobilus database. Library specialist Sarah Fisher, who manages the branch, also received the All-Star Librarian Award in the contest. Earlier this year, the library partnered with the United Way of Pickens County to host a tax preparation workshop for students. More than 50 students received assistance with their tax returns at the event.