Photo looking down a large room with long tables and tall windows

Reimagining the Law Library

Community Life
Strategic Initiatives
Reimagining the Law Library

The Li Lu Law Library, which officially opened to the Law School community on December 5, 2025, represents one of the largest capital investments in Columbia Law School's history.

About the Project

The Li Lu Law Library comprises 50,000 square feet, located over three floors of Jerome L. Greene Hall. The renovation was made possible through the generous support of Li Lu LAW ’96, BUS ’96, CC ’96 and more than 50 alumni and friends.

Design Process and Community Input

The Li Lu Law Library was designed by leading architectural firm Perkins Eastman. The architects facilitated focus groups, conducted benchmark analyses of other academic law libraries, and examined the constraints and opportunities of Jerome L. Greene Hall. The results of that process were shared with a task force of faculty, students, and administrators—including members of the Law Library staff—which was charged with gathering input from our community, identifying the most pressing space needs and priorities, and helping to inform possible design directions.

Staircase under "Li Lu Law Library" signage — The main staircase in the Li Lu Law Library.

Key Features

The renovated Law Library includes a dramatic increase in the number of individual study seats, as well as group study rooms. Key features include:

An open, light-filled design with views across Revson and Ancell plazas, featuring a signature two-story reading room.
More than 600 study seats in individual and small-group configurations.
Reservable group study rooms of various sizes designed to be flexible and adaptable to evolving law school pedagogy.
Tastefully appointed furniture, fixtures, and aesthetic details throughout to create a comfortable, well-designed, and beautiful space for all who use it.
State-of-the-art technology, ample supply of power, and flexible room and seating configurations.

Looking through a window into a room with tables and chairs — Looking into the main reading room from the lobby.

2nd Floor: Individual and Group Study

The 2nd floor is a nexus for group study and collaboration. Each of the more than 20 rooms are fully enclosed and equipped with state-of-the-art technology and flexible seating options. In addition, the 2nd level incorporates more casual, open seating in the David J. Greenwald Lounge—a place to catch up between classes or meetings without having to worry about disturbing others—and is also home to the Brad and Kathy Smith Reading Room with over 60 single-student carrels, nestled among stacks of frequently used print materials.

Looking down at students sitting at long tables

3rd Floor: A Marquee Reading Room

The 3rd level is anchored by a grand, two-story reading room—an open, light-filled space with views stretching out across Revson and Ancell plazas. The 3rd level serves as the main point of entry to the library, with a wraparound information desk and extended table space and individual seating to comfortably accommodate nearly 200 students.

4th Floor: Multi-Modal Seating and Reference Support

With another 200 seats available, the 4th floor offers a convenient mix of both extended table space and individual student carrels, along with stacks of regularly used print materials. The 4th level is also be home to the Charles Evans Gerber Reading Room: A gift of the Pucker Family, the Milton Handler Rare Books and Manuscripts Room, and an exhibition space, as well as offices and workstations for librarians.