The Metropolitan Museum of Art recently announced that its redesignedNolen Study Room located in the Thomas J. Watson Library opened. The space, which is accessible to the public, will house approximately 5,000 books reflecting the scope of The Mets collection on new open and browsable shelves. The new design will also enable a flexible and multipurpose space that can be reconfigured beyond a reading room to accommodate classes, presentations, seminars, and programs for students and museum visitors. The museum has worked with New York and Los Angeles based design firm Young & Ayata on the $3 million, 1,000-square-foot project. We are delighted to reopen our beloved Watson Library and newly redesigned Nolen Study room, said Max Hollein, The Mets Marina Kellen French director and CEO. The space has been reimagined to better serve and welcome researchers to the library from New York and around the world, who are now invited in to enjoy this beautiful new space and the incredible collection of art publications, catalogues, and more that are ready for browsing! The renovation and design project is an exceptional opportunity for the library. The plans evoke optimism for the future and reflect our commitment to providing a more welcoming, comfortable, and inspiring environment for library researchers and staff for generations to come, remarked Ken Soehner, Arthur K. Watson chief librarian. The Nolen Study Room will replace Watson Librarys former Periodical Room. The circulation desk was also redesigned to create a more inviting space for library visitors. The renovation introduces architectural and design elements that honor and reinterpret the existing mid-century modern aesthetic. The original wood shelving was preserved and reimagined into wall panels milled with a pattern inspired by traditions of paper marbling. Young & Ayata is a design/research practice based in New York and Los Angeles focusing on working through a range of mediums on the challenges and potentials of the built environment. The firms principals view educational engagement as crucial to the continual expansion of architectural ideas, and both serve on the faculty of prominent design programs. As so much of our daily access to information has moved to online platforms, the extraordinary resources available to the public through the collection of Watson Library remind us how wonderful it is to explore physical material in the spaces of library reading rooms. We are thrilled to contribute to the ever-evolving architectural character of The Met and hope to create an inspirational atmosphere for scholars and members of the broader public invested in learning through the librarys collection, said Young & Ayata. The Thomas J. Watson Library renovation project is made possible by many generous donors. The Met is fortunate and grateful to have such a devoted community of supporters. The Thomas J. Watson Library is the research library of The Met and is one of the worlds most comprehensive art libraries with more than 1 million volumes. Located on the museums first floor, it was designed by Brown, Lawford and Forbes in 1962 and opened in 1965. The librarys holdings reflect the global and encyclopedic nature of The Met with books ranging in date from the late 15th century to current scholarship, in all fields covered by The Met. Last year, Watson Library added more than 15,000 titles in 65 languages, and the library features rotating exhibitions that highlight its collection as well as new acquisitions. The librarys mission is to support the research activities of the museum staff and to offer access and outstanding services to an international community of students and scholars.