The MacOdrum Library at Carleton University is about to get a major facelift that will benefit the entire community. The Ontario government will contribute $16 million and Carleton is investing $7 million in the project, which will be shovel-ready by August 2011.
The library expansion was announced today by the Hon. Bob Chiarelli, minister of infrastructure, as part of the Ontario Government’s long-term infrastructure plan.
“Responding to the growth in student numbers, this library project provides access for students by creating an up-to-date learning environment where they can use technology to access not only Carleton’s excellent special collections, but materials from around the world,” said Dr. Roseann O’Reilly Runte, president and vice-chancellor.
Carleton Head Librarian Margaret Haines said the grant money will enable the university to proceed with a much-needed expansion.
“This provincial government grant allows Carleton to meet the needs of its growing student population by doubling the seating capacity in MacOdrum Library, as well as providing additional group study rooms, display space and improving our facilities for special collections,” said Haines.
The Library project will create space for an additional 1,250 students. Two new floors will house book stacks, classrooms, study areas, a digital media centre and a help desk. There will be new facilities for special collections and dedicated space for academic support staff to work with students, improving the student experience and retention. Carleton’s leading statistical and geospatial data centres will be accessible to more researchers, regionally and nationally. And the project will allow for more community access to research materials, meeting space and expanded continuing education programs.
Added Haines: “In focus groups, we held with students specifically about the expansion, they told us time and time again that they are interested in the improvements to the library and their learning environment. They have given us valuable feedback on the plans for this project.”
The MacOdrum Library project will create about 110 construction jobs.
The Building Together plan released today by the Ontario government commits to investments of more than $35 billion over the next three years in public transit, highways and bridges, education and innovation, health care, water and other environmental resources and social and community programs.
“The plan continues to build on the province’s infrastructure investments by providing us with a road map for the next decade,” said Chiarelli. “We know that infrastructure is an asset worth investing in and maintaining for the good of everyone.”
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For more information:
Lin Moody
Media Relations
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 8705
Friday, June 24, 2011 in News Releases
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