Texas Christian University’s Mary Couts Burnett Library ranked No. 10 for Best College Library in 2026 in The Princeton Review, overcoming faculty concerns during renovations more than a decade ago.
The library underwent renovations back in 2014 to add new additions for students, such as more study spots on the west side of the building. The faculty was on edge about the removal of certain books in fear that they would lose important material for their classes.
“I think there was just nervousness from the faculty.” Tracy Hull, the dean of the library, said. “They felt like they were going to lose access to what they needed.”
The number of books moved offsite totaled almost 400,000 – 500,000 volumes.
“We didn’t have the luxury of time to sit and make the painstaking decisions,” Hull said. “All of the bound journals that we had at that point were moving.” The decisions were based on how old and unutilized the books were.
The library set up a system where if somebody requested a book, they would have it delivered back on campus the next morning or sometimes even within the same day. They can also scan and email requested journal articles directly to faculty members.
“So in a way, it’s actually easier for them because they don’t have to go into the stacks and find the article or book,” Hull said. “We’re just delivering it to them so they can just pick it up at the desk, the same with students.”
The system worked out well with the TCU community, and since then, the TCU library has been a major study spot on campus for students.
“We wanted to create a variety of study spaces that met the different means of different learning styles,” Hull said. The library now has private study rooms and collective areas where students can gather, study and do homework.
Apart from the 10-year-old renovations, students said the staff plays a huge part in why the library achieved the No. 10 rank in The Princeton Review.
“The staff here are extremely committed to their job and approachable; they want to see the students do well,” Hull said. “I think the fact that we’re focused on what meets the students’ needs is what contributed to getting that No. 10 ranking.”
