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Camosun receives $4M infrastructure grant

Camosun's "Love Your Learning Library" capital campaign got a whole lot of lovin' from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and BC Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Minister, Moira Stillwell, who announced Wednesday the college will receive $4 million from the federal–provincial Knowledge Infrastructure Program to complete the library revitalization project that launched last March.

The library renovations will transform the way students learn study, collaborate and create at Lansdowne and Interurban Libraries. Renovations, which will introduce 90 new computer stations, two electronic learning labs, media viewing stations, IT and A/V support areas, expansive study and lounge areas, student project rooms, a Commons Cafe and much more, are set to begin this October at Lansdowne, with Interurban upgrades to follow soon after.

"Camosun's new libraries will be a true commons, with state–of–the–art technologies, expert help, a rich array of information resources and quiet spaces to study and reflect—a combination that transforms dreams and ideas into realities," says chief librarian Sybil Harrison. Harrison envisions Camosun's renewed libraries will be the busiest places on campus.

"This is a huge, state–of–the–art boost to students, faculty, and the wider Camosun community," says Denis Powers, Executive Director of Human Resources. "The Learning Commons concept is an integrated learning environment on both campuses, increasing access to electronic and physical library resources, as well as related learning services like teaching support."

The announcement was part of a new round of funding from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, aimed at improving infrastructure at Canadian colleges and universities. Camosun joins 14 other BC post secondary institutions that also benefit from this latest round of infrastructure grants.

http://camosun.ca/ccr/news/2009/aug/library.html

Camosun College is committed to providing students an integrated learning experience. The renovated library and learning commons will provide a range of learning supports for students (research assistance, writing skills, learning skills, IT and AV support) in one location.  The renovated libraries will faciliate collaborative learning.

Record numbers of students are accessing Camosun’s Lansdowne and Interurban libraries. In November 2008 alone, Camosun experienced more than 37,000 visits to the Lansdowne campus library and more than 13,500 at the Interurban library. Computer access is insufficient, group and quiet study space is at a premium, collections are aging, and the demand for electronic research tools is escalating.

Phase One: Lansdowne - 1st floor

     Relocation of services to 2nd floor July to August 15 2009

     Construction November 23, 2009  to May 17, 2010

Phase Two: Lansdowne - 2nd floor, AV Services and Library Classroom

     June 1, 2010 to August 20, 2010

Phase Three: Interurban Library

   April 19, 2010  to September 2010

    The Interurban Library will close its present location from April to September. PhotoID and some library service will operate from an alternate location within the Campus Centre during the renvoation period.

Want to know what the renovated Library & Learning Commons will look like?  Take a look at the architect's renderings of new space.

Victoria based firm Chow Low Hammond  are the principal architecs for the learning commons project.  The project is based on a conceptual plan developed by the firm and college staff.