It may not be great news for our waistlines, but it is good news for those of us who spend hours at a stretch at D. H. Hill Library. The Creamery is now open in the West Wing, serving the new “Howling Cow” premium ice cream made here at NC State.

On Monday, April 20, the Creamery did a “soft” opening (however, not related to the consistency of the ice cream) to ensure that graduating students get to experience it during their exams and before they leave NC State. The finishing design touches are still underway, so the Creamery will close after graduation and reopen before the start of the first summer semester.

Patrons of twenty-first century libraries value them as secure spaces—comfortable areas that provide access to the latest technology, as well as both quiet and collaborative places to work. It’s the place students go when they “get serious” about getting the work done—and they are often in the building for hours at a time. The Creamery provides a safe, convenient in-building area to grab a snack without substantially interrupting work time. And it’s been built without state money.

With some good planning, the Creamery is also helping D. H. Hill with its seating problems. By consolidating service points, the ongoing makeover of the West Wing has made room for an area adjacent to the Creamery that will provide 60 additional student seats—a welcome addition since the NCSU Libraries can seat less than 5% of NCSU students, far below the 20% recommended by the UNC system.

Signs in and around the new seating area, now dubbed “The ConeZone,” ask that ice cream eaters not take their cones into the library proper. Managing food in the library is always a potential challenge, but it is a commitment that students have asked the Libraries to make and so far it has not been a problem.

The Creamery will be open through exams and then closed for a few days for finishing touches. It will reopen for summer classes. Look forward to an official Grand Opening when students return for the fall.