The announcement of  LJ's 2016 academic New Landmark Libraries gave us an opportunity to showcase exemplary design and service in academic libraries. Upon getting the list of winners and honorable mentions, I realized five of the eight libraries were located in areas through which I would be traveling on a planned trip from New Jersey to North Carolina. I couldn't pass up the chance to see the libraries in person, so I pitched the idea of a road trip/tour to my editors: to visit each library and take photos to  supplement our coverage. My editors were enthusiastic about the project, as were the libraries. Visiting all five within a week's time was a phenomenal eye-opener, seeing up-to-date examples of service, design, and technology, one after the other. Special thanks to the library representatives I met for all their time and attention: Sue Robinson, Director of Communications and Public Relations at James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond; Chris Tonelli, Director of Communication Strategy at the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, North Carolina State University, Raleigh; Dean Angela Rice, Associate Dean Pavel Vasioutovitch, and Cynthia Schmidt, Head of Communication and Customer Services at the Jerry Falwell Library, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA; Joe Malloy, Interim Director at the Mary Helen Cochran Library, Sweet Briar College, VA; and David G. Schappert, Director of Library Services at the Learning Commons, Marywood University, Scranton. Kudos as well to all the architectural and design firms responsible for these buildings; your expertise and vision have created inspiring, forward-looking spaces. Finally, thanks to the dedicated librarians and library staffs for your command and insight that help bring these libraries up to their full potential. Click below to get some of my visual impressions of each library—

• James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
• James B. Hunt Jr. Library, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• Mary Helen Cochran Library, Sweet Briar College, VA
• Jerry Falwell Library, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
• Learning Commons, Marywood University, Scranton

Kevin Henegan Design Director