Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – With the turn of a silver shovel – six, to be exact – University of Illinois Springfield has begun construction of its new Library Commons, a $42.5 million, 52,000-square-foot building.

“This is simply not just a building project. It is a statement about how UIS is preparing students for the world they are entering,” said Sarah Phalen, a university trustee. “Employers today want graduates who can collaborate problem-solve and adapt to change.”

The building, between the Student Union and the Health Sciences building, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027.