The American University in Cairo Library reopened for the Fall 2026 semester following a major overhaul of its plaza and garden levels. The transformed space now operates as a modern Learning Commons built to support collaborative work, active learning, and technology-driven study.
The project introduces a dedicated Accessibility Hub alongside a permanent exhibition space for the Rare Books and Special Collections Library. These additions mark the completion of the university's seven-year Learning Spaces Strategic Plan, which began in 2019 to update campus learning environments.
The redesigned areas incorporate updated furniture, lighting, flooring, and improved network infrastructure. The new Accessibility Hub provides specialized resources for students with diverse learning requirements, while the exhibition space on the plaza level brings historical and contemporary archives closer to the campus community.
Lamia Eid, dean of Libraries and Learning Technologies, noted that the updates respond to changing study habits. While older layouts prioritized individual desks and large desktop computer labs, current students frequently collaborate using personal laptops and mobile devices.
"Academic libraries around the world have responded to this shift by moving from the traditional Information Commons Model towards Learning Commons that support collaboration, interaction and active learning," Eid said.
Upper floors of the library maintain traditional quiet study zones and 24-hour rooms to accommodate individual focus alongside collaborative spaces.
Launched in 2019, the Learning Spaces Strategic Plan has grown from an initial pilot project into a portfolio encompassing 43 innovative campus environments. These include active learning classrooms, flexible teaching spaces, and the Library Learning Terrace across the New Cairo and Falaki campuses.
Hoda Mostafa, professor of practice and director of the Center for Learning and Teaching, stated that physical environments remain vital to shaping academic experiences and inspiring curiosity among students and faculty.
