Ceremonial Groundbreaking

This past Thursday was a very important day for the college: It was the day of the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new library. It was a beautiful day, with a great turn out; the guests included individuals from the community as well as local dignitaries and college staff.

In welcoming guests and interested parties, Dr. Neupauer shared his vision for the future of the college and included how our changing campus library will be part of that vision.

Following, Steve Joseph, Dean for Library Services, shared his feelings on the importance of libraries in a larger context, and challenged the audience to think in terms of conversation:

"All of human learning, all of human culture can be seen as a long, stretched out series of conversations between people separated by time, distance and sometimes culture. [...] For thousands of years libraries have kept the records of these on-going conversations, on tablets, scrolls and papyrus, paper and electrons. If you want to know what humanity has been saying to itself about any subject, you can go to a library. [...] Academic libraries, in addition to keeping a record of these conversations, have a very special, extra part of their mission – they also assist students in not just reading these conversations, but entering them, becoming an active participant.  Every paper students write, every presentation they make, every video they produce is an addition to one or more of these myriad conversations."

In concluding, Steve personally thanked Mr. Heaton (whose family is honored in renovated library's new name) for his generosity: "His gift made it possible to not implement my fundraising idea, which was having a tip jar at the reference desk."

After the tossing of cards from one of our last remaining card catalogs--an act officially signifying the groundbreaking--everyone was invited outdoors to enjoy the area which will soon become the front of the new Heaton Family Learning Commons.

The time for real change is finally upon us.

And Then There Were None

After many hours of (much appreciated) labor dismantling and transporting shelves, today the last of our shelving was removed from the upstairs of the library.

With the groundbreaking on June 24 fast approaching, we are finally in the final stages of preparation for this renovation. Though it's hard to fully envision the changes that are soon to occur here, one can't help but get a sense of excitement when viewing the vast empty space upstairs.

Big changes soon to come...