We are pleased to announce that the university is adding a Student Success Commons to the sixth floor of the Albert B. Alkek Library. As the Student Success Commons, the sixth floor will centralize Student Learning Assistance (SLAC), tutoring, supplemental Instruction, success coaching, Veteran Academic Success, Bobcats Bounce Back (academic recovery), First-Gen Initiatives, and more—all programs that have been proven to improve retention, graduation, and GPA for students who participate.
The transformation of the sixth floor represents a new phase in efforts to update the 35-year-old building, adding learning commons features that bring information resources and student services together under one roof. Renovations to the first through fourth floors were completed in 2020. The continued growth of our student body has created a need to expand and co-locate student services to provide better and more efficient access for our students.
To make way for these renovations University Libraries is accelerating its efforts to transfer lesser-used items from sixth-floor shelves to the TXST Archives and Research Center at STAR Park. Items that have not been checked out in 10 or more years are being moved to this preservation library where they will be housed in a climate-controlled environment and preserved for decades to come. More recently circulated materials and those that are often used in the library, like art and design books and other visually oriented subject areas will move to other floors within Alkek.
All materials transferred to the Archives and Research Center will continue to be available to students, faculty, and staff from both the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses through the library catalog. Daily deliveries from the Archives and Research Center ensure prompt access for those who desire to check out these items.
Transferring lesser-used items to the Archives and Research Center has been an ongoing effort since the facility opened in 2017. There are currently more than 640,000 books, archival materials, framed art or artifacts housed at the Archives and Research Center which is located just four miles from the San Marcos campus. All items from the sixth floor are expected to be removed before Thanksgiving and the majority of the work to renovate the floor is planned for the winter break to minimize disruptions for library users.
Our campus can look forward to a completely renovated sixth floor including new furniture, renovated restrooms, increased power outlets, and modernized study spaces in time for the fall 2026 semester. Work to move the library materials will begin this month in preparation for construction to begin in late 2025/early 2026.