Category Learning Commons
 

November update on the Learning Commons project

Dear Colleagues,

I write with a brief update on the Learning Commons project.

Renovation of the Library remains on schedule and on budget. The new front windows have now been installed and work on the roof is scheduled to be finished by Christmas. Beginning this week, the contractor will be installing new windows for the remainder of the building. This work is also scheduled to be completed by the holidays. Inside the building, the focus recently has been on installation of drywall and construction of the agora steps. Pictures of these developments are posted below.

On the collections management front, preparations for the big move back to the Library are well underway. Activity there will intensify as the opening date approaches. Librarians and library staff recently completed measuring the physical extent of the general collection as it currently stands. The data gathered will help librarians make final decisions about how the collections may best be spread throughout the newly renovated spaces.

The SRC conducted a student survey on furniture preferences for study spaces in October. Our architects have the results of that survey and are currently weighing options on the basis of information provided there.

Last Friday, a team of 3 students from Dr. Riddell’s communications course – Aidan Cooke, Marie Pelletier-Matte and Pascal Talon – rolled out for the Learning Commons Executive Committee a communications plan for the run-up to the opening of the new building. Their idea is to preview the spaces of the Learning Commons at regular intervals over the Winter, Spring and Summer so that the community is optimally informed as to what is on offer there prior to moving in September 2018. Their work was excellent – at once entertaining and informative. We look forward to the launch of these features in January.

Wishing everyone a successful end of semester,

Jamie Crooks
Director, Learning Commons Project
Bishop’s University

Closure of the pathway between the Library and Pollack until the end of construction

Good Afternoon,

Please note that the construction of the Learning Commons started earlier this week and will go on for about a year. For safety reasons, the pathway between the Library and Pollack will be closed until the end of construction.

Also, please be advised that noisy works (demolition of the main entrance stairs) will take place next week, we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

Have a good day!

Céline Jury
PROJECT TECHNICIAN / TECHNICIENNE DE PROJET
819-822-9600 ext. 2094
819-347-8344
cjury@ubishops.ca

Update on the Learning Commons Project

Dear Colleagues,

I write with a brief update on the Learning Commons Project.

The first (demolition) phase of the renovation is now complete.  Library employees and representatives of user groups toured the cleared space on May 10th.  At the end of the tour, the project’s Executive Committee gave a comprehensive update on consultation, funding, life in the temporary library, construction timelines and plans for moving back into the renovated space.  A question and answer period followed.  The Executive’s PowerPoint is too large for distribution on lists.  But I would be happy to send it to any individuals interested in its details.

The tour and update capped a day of consultation of user groups on office and furniture needs led by Project Technician Celine Jury and User Champion Jessica Riddell.  These consultations were productive.  Celine and Jessica will follow up where necessary.  The student body will be widely consulted (in collaboration with our colleagues on the SRC) on study space needs/preferences at the beginning of the Fall 2017 semester.

Closing date on the University’s Call for Tenders for the construction phase of the renovation was May 4.  The winning bid was made by Geratek – a company with whom Bishop’s has worked in the past (they extended and renovated the Sports Centre).  Construction is slated to begin June 5th.  We remain on track to finish the project and open the new building for the Fall 2018 semester.

Daniel Bromby has graciously agreed to supervise the Herculean task of planning the move of the Library’s collections back into the renovated space.  He and his colleagues are already at work making the calculations necessary in order to have the most robust and accessible versions of these collections in place when the Learning Commons opens its doors.  I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Executive and Steering Committees of the Project, to express my appreciation to Daniel for taking on this important work.

Eliza McKnight has graciously agreed to work, in collaboration with the University’s Communications Office, on a Learning Commons Webpage.  The page would keep users (and the wider world) updated on progress of the project, management of collections and other FAQs.  We will also use it to preview spaces in the new building – displaying architectural 3D images and featuring discussion of the resources and possibilities of some new space each month of the 2017-18 academic year running up to the opening of the building.  Again, on the behalf the Executive and Steering Committees of the Project, I thank Eliza for leading this effort.  The end of construction is only the beginning of our genuine work – which is to bring our new Learning Commons to life.

I hope this note finds you well as summer stretches out finally in front of us.

Best,

Jamie Crooks
Director, Bishop’s Learning Commons Project

Major Infrastructure Investments at Bishop’s

Dear Community members,

This morning at 10:30 a.m., the honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, and Quebec Minister responsible for Higher Education Hélène David, our local Members of the National Assembly, Guy Hardy (St-François) and Minister of Culture and Communications Luc Fortin (Sherbrooke) will be on campus for an announcement about two major infrastructure investments at Bishop’s.

The event will be held in the lobby of Centennial.
All are welcome.
The more purple the better.

Michael Goldbloom, C.M.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Summary provided by Jamie Crooks after the press conference of January 27, 2017:

  • As you may have heard, full funding for the Learning Commons was confirmed on January 27, 2017.  The cost of the project is $17 million. Our capital campaign has pledged $4.5 million – $1 of which comes from our students. The Federal and Provincial Governments have now pledged $12.5 under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building of Canada Fund.
  • On February 17, 2017, Project Manager Alain Durand organized a day of consultation in the lobby of Centennial Theatre. All user groups were invited to examine detailed plans for the renovated library and speak with the architects and engineers who had drawn up these plans. Architects brought 25 3D images of spaces in the new building. The consultation was well attended and the day was a great success.
  • I attach pictures of the cleared John Bassett Memorial Library space along with a document on management of asbestos. A healthy environment in the new building is, needless to say, a top priority.
  • Activity in the library building since January has been dedicated entirely to clearing the space. The Call for Tender for the contractors who will execute the renovation of the building in accordance with the design produced (in consultation with the community) by Lemay Architects is scheduled to go out next week.
  • Beginning in September 2017 – and as a run up to the grand re-opening of the building in September 2018 – we will preview for the community each month a new space in the renovated Learning Commons. The preview will include 3D images and a text on projected usages.