SPINDALE, N.C., Oct. 1, 2026 — When Isothermal Community College originally opened the doors to its campus library in the spring of 1968, educational resource centers were defined by quiet rows of steel book stacks, catalog card drawers, and fixed perimeter study carrels. More than five decades later, the needs of community college students have fundamentally transformed, and so has the campus’ central intellectual hub.
Following an extensive modernization project years in the making, the newly revitalized Nyoka Melton Library & Learning Commons and adjoining William and Martha DeBrule Auditorium have officially reopened, establishing an open, tech-forward learning environment built for collaborative, digital-first coursework.
Fountain served as the electrical contractor for the comprehensive overhaul, delivering the complete power, distribution, architectural lighting, and low-voltage pathways behind the facility’s transformation.
Honoring Campus Heritage While Designing for Tomorrow
Designed by architecture firm Clark Nexsen and managed by general contractor BEAM Construction Co., Inc., the project took on the dual challenge of preserving the mid-century building’s core character while completely reimagining its interior flow and energy profile.
Aging 1960s exterior envelope assemblies were replaced with high-efficiency glazing systems, flooding the central commons with natural daylight. Inside, dense, static book stacks were scaled back and consolidated into low-profile, mobile shelving units, instantly opening sightlines across the facility and making room for flexible student spaces.
Key highlights of the completed facility include:
- Tech-Enabled Group Study Suites: Enclosed meeting and breakout rooms outfitted with integrated presentation displays and conferencing tools.
- Expanded Digital Resource Labs: High-density computer workstations, specialized research pods, and dedicated spaces for digital media production.
- Modernized DeBrule Auditorium: Full audiovisual, acoustic, and lighting overhauls to support college lectures, student orientations, and regional community events.
- Flexible Learning Furnishings: Modular, mobile seating and collaboration tables with built-in power and charging connectivity accessible from anywhere on the floor.
The Power Behind Modern Learning
Behind every smart classroom display, automated daylight sensor, and mobile charging hub is a robust, modern electrical backbone.
Fountain’s field teams executed a comprehensive electrical overhaul within the structure, upgrading aging distribution gear to safely support contemporary digital loads. The team installed architectural LED lighting systems integrated with daylight-harvesting controls, reducing campus energy consumption while creating an inviting, bright atmosphere for study.
View photos from the project in our Portfolio.
General Contractor: BEAM Construction Company
Architect: Clark Nexsen
$415K Electrical | $4.8 Million Total