Library debut makes the cut

After 73 years of renovation, four years of recent construction and expansion and three new phases, GC&SU’s Ina Dillard Russell Library and Information Technology Center held its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony last Thursday.

President Dorothy Leland presided at the ceremony, reminding the large crowd that the library would stand as a memorial to the Ina Dillard Russell family.

“I really do believe that the library is the heart and soul of a liberal arts institution,” Leland said, “and we know we have one of the best facilities in the state.”

The $19.5 million expansion and renovation of the library added 93,000 square feet, making it one of the largest library complexes in Georgia, with three new computer labs, more than 40 new study rooms, a 75-person auditorium, space for 450,000 volumes, new furniture, technical services, a multimedia lab, an electronic classroom, a larger space for its special collections and Books and Brew (a cyber caf?).

According to Leland, although Phase I of the library opened last August, the administration wanted to wait to have a ribbon cutting until the whole library was completely renovated.

“The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the opening of the entire library and technology center,” Leland said. “Although the new portion of the Library and Information Technology Center was completed last year, the second phase of the project was completed only recently. The second phase included specials collections and the museum and exhibition space in the Ina Dillard Russell Building.”

Linda Daniels, the vice chancellor for facilities in the University System of Georgia, said the restoration of the facility will help us nurture student growth.

“For many of us, the iconic campus buildings and the spaces that surround them have come to symbolize the meaning of higher education,” Daniels said. “Although teaching and research are crucial elements, the physical environments in which those activities take place in the preservation of important expression also remain the same. Historic renovation and expansion projects like this are often the result of very strong partnerships on many levels.”

Daniels said education is more than what takes place in a classroom, and libraries have always been an integral part of how students develop.

“Together our efforts make possible not just the restoration and expansion of buildings, but also teaching and learning,” Daniels said. “That is the reason we are here in your community. We are about creating a more educated Georgia. That goal strengthens our great state and helps build and rebuild communities like Milledgeville, Ga.”

Leland said the library houses both print and electronic documents, government documents and special collections, such as the Flannery O’Connor collection, the university archives and papers for the late senator Paul Coverdell.

Rachel Schipper, university librarian, said the library’s special collections encourage students to be free and well-rounded.

“Our library’s collections encourage our students to become free, self reliant and responsible members of a global community,” Schipper said. “Information is the currency of society, and this library is worth every cent.”

Along with Leland, Vice President & Dean of Faculties Dr. Anne Gormly, Chief Information Officer Dr. Jim Wolfgang, Vice President of Business & Finance Harry Keim and Mayor Floyd Griffin were involved in the ribbon cutting.

A plaque dedicated to the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga. was unveiled at the ceremony. The plaque recognizes the foundation’s endowment of a $2.5 million grant, which was contributed the library in 2001 to help fund the purchase of books, periodicals and new technology.

The large crowd was invited to tour the Ina Dillard Russell Library and Information Technology Center.

According to Technology Support Specialist Joe Windish, the special effects on the computer screens would not have been possible without the many student workers who helped out.

“Some of the student workers displayed their work on the monitors (for the tours),” Windish said. “There are students all over the building with cameras, taking pictures for the event. We also had a few podcasts done for the gallery upstairs.”

Leland was pleased with the turnout and participation of the ceremony.

“Although rain forced us to move the ceremony inside, we had a great turnout nonetheless,” Leland said. “The Library and Information Technology Center is a tremendous asset to GC&SU, and people naturally wanted to participate in the celebration.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 14 2005. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry