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Northwest Mississippi Community College Cuts Ribbon on Freshly Remodeled Library

by Sarah Smith-Hutchinson

Senatobia, MS (11/21/2025) — Northwest Mississippi Community College's R.C. Pugh Library opened its doors again after a renovation project that revitalized the college's library into a large learning hub equipped with a state-of-the-art maker space, a cozy fireplace, study rooms, and more. College administration, the Board of Trustees, Northwest staff and faculty, alongside students joined together to hold the ribbon cutting on Nov. 20.

Board Chairman Cory Uselton welcomed everyone to the new facility that he hailed as a success for Northwest and that cultivates success in Northwest students.

"This space has been completely reimagined," said Northwest President, Dr. Michael J. Heindl. "It's a beautiful space, and our students have been using it in major ways since the library has been open."

Dr. Heindl said special attention was made to the functionality of the library both in its original iteration and this reimaging, such as its connection to Tate Hall which has computer labs, restrooms, and student support offices; the specific study-oriented spaces like the booths and private study rooms, and all the other little details that make the library shine.

"The results will speak for themselves when you visit the newly renovated R.C. Pugh Library," said Jeff Horton, vice president for Administration and Finance. "I believe it rivals any library you would find in the state. We would like to thank our partners at Murphy and Sons, Inc., EGH Architects and the team at the Bureau of Buildings for their work on this project."

The $4.9 million project had each detail carefully curated for the new space designed by Eley Guild Hardy, contracted by Murphy and Sons, Inc., and overseen by Northwest's Director of College Construction and Maintenance, Mary Ayers. The funding for this project was approved in 2022, and after design and approval processes were completed with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History construction began in October of 2024.

Ayers explained that they wanted to keep the original design aesthetic of the building, which was completed in 1953 with additions made in the late 1960s. "The new brick was hand matched to the 1967 masonry," said Ayers. "All new windows were designed to mimic the horizontal design of the original 1953 and 1967 windows."

Inside, the 16,857- square- foot space was reimagined with wide open spaces for books in addition to new study spaces and learning resources. It implements the mid-century modern design elements connecting with its historically styled past.

Beyond the design, the library is about what they offer to their patrons, and no one knows this

better than Dr. Melissa Wright, the college's director of Learning Resources. Dr. Wright talked about the importance of the evolution of libraries, not just as being only places where books are kept, but as a living institution that changes with the needs of the community.

"We now have a much more vast array of resources and educational materials to use due to increased use of technology," said Dr. Wright. "But what has not changed is our core mission of transforming student lives and enriching our communities by promoting literacy, teaching critical thinking and research skills, and instilling a love of learning. This hasn't varied in the almost 100-year existence of the Northwest libraries, and it won't."

She said that the thing that makes all this happen isn't as much a building-- as nice as that may be--, but the team behind the building, who comes back in every day and greets students with smiling faces and a helping hand, who educate students on resources, how to make buttons or sew, or helps them into a student room to study for their final. Dr. Wright said this building wouldn't mean much without the folks who show up every day who and ask, "what can we do to help?" According to Dr. Wright, her library team is a leader's dream come true as they have the same vision striving for excellence in everything their team does.

Dr. Wright didn't want to miss recognizing who makes their job special and this building so exciting: the students. The students' excitement and enthusiasm have been the most rewarding for Dr. Wright and her team. She noted the response for students requesting to learn about the programs, maker space, and book clubs is particularly exciting.

Dr. Wright said she'd be remiss not to thank all the people behind the renovations, and the administrative leadership, especially Dr. Heindl, who made these renovations possible.

For students like sophomore Mya Hardin of Water Valley, this library is more than about books. As Phi Theta Kappa president of the Senatobia chapter, she was able to help move books from the temporary library located in the Tunica Building back to the R.C. Pugh Library after renovations were complete. During the process, she said she realized that she didn't just see a beautiful library, but something more.

"I see opportunity," Hardin said. "I see support and I see a college willing to pour into their students."

To learn more about Northwest Libraries, please visit https://www.northwestms.edu/l/current-students/library

Media Attachments

Northwest Mississippi Community College Board of Trustees members, staff, faculty, students, and community members celebrate the ribbon cutting for the renovated R.C. Pugh Library on Nov. 20. Photo by Carly Fox

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