The Learning Resource Center at Suffolk County Community College is conceived as a lantern of learning. The project was initiated to keep this largely commuter-student population on campus between classes by providing a comfortable and inspiring place to study, work collaboratively, and access faculty support services. Diagrammatically, a simple nine square cube deploys the library program on two floors. Portions of the cube are removed to allow natural light to penetrate the building’s core. A central lantern houses an information commons and rises above the roof line of the library to become a visible cupola on the campus.