IU Southeast library groundbreaking June 11

By Katherine Sears

To meet the needs of a growing student population and emerging technologies, IU Southeast will begin construction of a new library this summer. The campus will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 3 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 11, between Crestview and Hillside halls.

Gerald Bepko, IU’s interim president; Stephen Ferguson, vice president of the IU Board of Trustees; and members of the IU Southeast Board of Advisors are planning to attend. Speakers will include Sandra Patterson-Randles, chancellor of the New Albany campus; Marty Rosen, director of library services; state Rep. Bill Cochran, Joanna Goldstein, new faculty senate president at Southeast; and Aebeer Mallick, former president of student government at Southeast. The IU Southeast Brass Ensemble will perform.

Under Cochran’s leadership, the Indiana General Assembly approved the funds for the library project in 2001. However, the project, along with other new capital expenditures, was placed on hold due to the state economy. In January, the Indiana State Budget Committee gave the nod for $21.4 million in bonds to be issued to enable IU Southeast to build the new library and to renovate its current Library Building/University Center to better centralize offices that provide student services.

The building will provide—

• Increased space: 52,000 assignable square feet for collections and study—an increase from the existing 34,000 square feet of space.

• Versatile and quality seating: Group study areas will be available, as well as a variety of seating options designed to facilitate student learning and scholarship.

• Adaptive technology: A combination of wired and wireless access will enable the library to deliver online information resources to every seat in the facility. Advanced technology will be integrated into the building’s infrastructure.

• New location for IU Southeast’s award-winning program, the Institute for Learning and Teaching Excellence: This program provides teaching, technology, instructional methods and research guidance to faculty. Its new home will contain an instructional technology lab and small conference areas.

• Enhanced archival space: Dedicated space will be allotted for growing special collections, including the award-winning Ars Femina archives, and the William Simon Sheet Music Collection.

• Improved student services area: Areas vacated from the existing Library Building will be converted into more efficient student services areas, to include expanded preparation and dining areas, an enlarged bookstore, and more space for student organizations.

The architects for the project are Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson, and Abbott of Boston, and MSKTD and Associates of Fort Wayne. Completion is anticipated during the 2004-2005 academic year.