This project builds on VSBA’s concept plan for the development of a new north end to Dartmouth’s campus. It represents a significant integration of the school's academic and physical development goals.

Dartmouth retained VSBA and Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott to expand and renovate Baker Library, the College's beloved humanities and social sciences library. The Berry addition (Phase 1) doubles the size of the existing facility, increasing capacity from 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 volumes and accommodates new public services functions, technical services, reading areas, and a café. The computing services department, registrar classrooms, and offices for the College’s History Department are also integrated.

The expanded library occupies a pivotal site between the proposed academic row on one side and the College's New England commons -- the College Green -- on the other, thus becoming a focal point at the heart and crossroads of both old and new campuses. The addition extends the library north, anticipating and helping to generate orderly campus development in that direction. Its linear form and imageful north facade terminate the axis of the new row and identify it much as the existing south facade of Baker Library defines the College Green to the south.

A north-south “street” through the addition links the new academic row with the College green and the existing east-west passage through the original library, forming a literal crossroads at the center of the campus. The street accommodates the library’s major public service functions, arranged along the street. At the ground level, overlooking the academic row is a café, informal study and lounge spaces, meeting rooms, and classrooms. Carson Hall, given separate identity as a wing of the addition, houses classrooms and the history department. The arcade along the new façade gives public identity to the library at the end of the academic row and defines an important east-west campus pedestrian route.

In Phase 2, the original Baker Library building, essentially unchanged since its construction in 1929, was renovated to accommodate new mechanical systems and comply with current fire and life safety codes. Certain traditional reading rooms and gracious public spaces were carefully restored.