Dick Smith Library Expansion Open at Tarleton State

Dick-Smith-Library-Expansion-Ribbon-Cutting — Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley and Mrs. Kindall Hurley, Interim Provost Dr. Barry Lambert and Dean of University Libraries Dr. Katherine Quinnell, pose with members of the Tarleton State Student Government Association and Tarleton State Ambassadors during a ribbon-cutting for the Dick Smith Library expansion.

STEPHENVILLE — Tarleton State University marked a major milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded Dick Smith Library. The event celebrated the first phase completion of a transformative project designed to enhance student success, collaboration and study opportunities on campus.

University leaders, faculty and students pose during a ribbon-cutting for the Dick Smith Library expansion outside the building. — Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley and Mrs. Kindall Hurley, Interim Provost Dr. Barry Lambert and Dean of University Libraries Dr. Katherine Quinnell, pose with members of the Tarleton State Student Government Association and Tarleton State Ambassadors during a ribbon-cutting for the Dick Smith Library expansion.

The expansion adds approximately 10,000 square feet of modern academic space across two levels of the library, creating an environment designed to support a wide range of student needs and learning styles.

“The Dick Smith Library expansion is more than new square footage — it’s a vibrant hub for learning, connection and innovation,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “This space embodies our dedication to providing Texans with exceptional environments that support their academic journey.”

New features include a 24-hour student commons with flexible furniture for individual study and small-group work, as well as small-group study tables equipped with presentation technology to encourage collaboration. The expansion also offers a multifunction meeting and classroom space for instructional use and group gatherings, an inviting exterior patio with seating for outdoor study and relaxation, and a striking new front entrance off Texan Trace that enhances access and visibility for the campus community.

“A great university library isn’t just a place to store knowledge, it’s where students engage with the subject matter and each other,” said Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Barry Lambert. “With this expansion, we’re giving students more ways to learn, practice and collaborate, in spaces designed for the pace and demands of higher education today.”

Named for philanthropist and scholar Dick Smith, the Dick Smith Library has long served as the academic heart of the Stephenville campus. From its early years in shared campus spaces to its first dedicated building in 1956, the library has received multiple expansions, including a major renovation in 1985 that doubled its size and added modern amenities such as an audio-visual room, computer lab and meeting spaces. The new expansion is part of the university’s broader efforts to enhance campus infrastructure in response to sustained enrollment growth and evolving student needs, reinforcing Tarleton State’s commitment to the student experience.