More than a Library

A collaborative renovation leads to a stylish new space for study and socialization

Take a walk through the newly renovated Sister Mary Kieran Memorial Library on a weekday afternoon, and you’ll see students using the space just as intended: studying together in private rooms, or alone in pod-like oversized chairs; gabbing away on the second-floor mezzanine; making friendship bracelets at a side table.

Standing at the center of campus since 1967, the library has long been a hub of student activity, academically and socially. Recognizing the library’s important role, and envisioning a space that could further enhance the school’s mission-centric programs, Santa Catalina embarked on a complete interior renovation of the building. Work was completed in late January after several years of planning and just seven months of construction.

To turn the vision into reality, Catalina engaged familiar partners: Anderson Brulé Architects, led by Pamela AndersonBrulé ’76, which designed the Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science Center (C2); and designbuild contractor Avila Construction, which worked on C2 and other major projects on campus. In addition, Catalina parent and healthy-homes expert Bill Hayward, who assisted the school during the COVID-19 pandemic, helped with the library’s new first-in-class filtration system and other clean air innovations.

“Representatives from all quarters of the Catalina community engaged in the quest to design the future use of the Sister Mary Kieran Library,” says former Head of School Meg Bradley, under whose tenure the library project took shape. “Faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumnae, and parents provided the rationale and funding to create a welcoming student hub and knowledge center. Working in tandem with talented personnel from Anderson-Brulé Architects and Avila Construction, this thoughtful collaboration resulted in an incredibly welcoming, multi-purpose environment, filled with rich and abundant collections of materials, for quiet study and connection. The heartfelt and positive response at the library reopening provided ample proof that this journey will provide this and future generations with an incomparable learning resource.”

The 14,000-square-foot building features a variety of reading nooks, social spaces, teamwork areas, personal rest areas, and technology. Reflecting the school’s growing emphasis on health and wellness and global education, the library includes a classroom with a full kitchen and adjoining small-group coaching space, and teleconferencing equipment for virtual cultural exchanges. Faculty and students alike have made great use of a second-floor conference room, and the stylishly decorated mezzanine, nicknamed The Porch, is almost never empty.

Sustainable and healthy building measures include high-performing window systems, improved insulation, and efficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure. The revolutionary building techniques radically reduce energy consumption, result in less distracting outside noise, and fill the space with healthy filtered air, according to Hayward. “In simple terms, the building no longer overheats in the afternoon sun and the ventilation systems exceed new national standards,” he says.

Although much has changed, important elements of the library remain: the iconic pitched exterior, entryway art gallery, globe lights, and fireplace help maintain the essence of the original building. As current Head of School Dr. Barbara Ostos notes, “Our new library gives our students inspiring new spaces to collaborate, discover, engage, and relax.”

The renovation benefited greatly from the involvement of partners with such close ties to Santa Catalina. Their knowledge and care for the school was evident in the planning stages as they worked with the community on shaping the future of the library. Pamela, the alumna architect, says, “The school is very close to my heart, and it was an honor to work alongside the talented ABA/Avila team in support of its continued success. This transformed library is the outcome of close collaboration, hard work, and a shared commitment to the school’s educational vision.”

After a soft opening, the library officially reopened its doors to students on Valentine’s Day—fitting for a place that Head Librarian AnaCena Hinterman describes as the heartbeat of campus. She says, “From students guarding their favorite comfy seat with almost ferocious intensity to between-the-shelves reading sessions and test preparation between classes, each student uses the library differently—but every student uses it, and that is such a beautiful thing.”