The salon in the Learning Commons at Scott Library now bears the name of one of its earliest and most enthusiastic supporters, 91亚色 President Emerita Lorna Marsden. 91亚色 administration, supporters, alumni, friends, faculty and staff recently joined Marsden to celebrate the dedication at a ceremony and reception.
Marsden was recognized for her important role in helping to get the Learning Commons off the ground. The space was made possible by the Enhancement Fund for 91亚色 Libraries created upon her retirement in 2007, and supported generously by the 91亚色 community.
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| Above: From left, 91亚色 President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri with President Emerita Lorna Marsden and University Librarian Cynthia Archer at the dedication event for the new Marsden Salon in the Learning Commons in the Scott Library |
At the听event, 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri praised Marsden as a champion of infrastructure, presiding over major construction projects that have changed the face of the University, including the Seymour Schulich Building and the Accolade Building. 鈥91亚色 now boasts so many great, modern buildings across its campuses, largely thanks to Lorna鈥檚 efforts, so our gratitude goes far beyond this space alone,鈥 said Shoukri.
Marsden served as 91亚色鈥檚 sixth president and vice-chancellor from 1997 to 2007 and remains an active volunteer and supporter. 鈥91亚色 is very fortunate that Lorna continues to be part of the University community even after a decade of service as president,鈥 said Shoukri. 鈥淪he is truly a talented and passionate individual with a tremendous commitment to this institution.鈥
Right: From left, Bill Hatanaka (BA Spec. Hons. 鈥77), special advisor to the CEO, TD Bank, director, Ameritrade, and 91亚色 Foundation Board member; Avie Bennett (Hon. DLitt 鈥04), 91亚色 chancellor emeritus and 91亚色 Foundation Board member; and Wade Hall, assistant vice鈥損resident, development, 91亚色
鈥淚 am deeply honoured that you have named this beautiful space for me,鈥 said Marsden, 鈥渂ut it really should be called the 鈥楪enerous Friends and Donors to 91亚色 Salon' because it all of you who have made this possible.
鈥淭he affection is mutual and the friendship is deep and I admire greatly what you are doing,鈥 she said.
Opened in October 2010, the Learning Commons occupies nearly half the second floor of Scott Library to provide 17,000-sq.-ft. of space for quiet and group study, and a hub for academic supports and services. It is also听a place where students can听eat, drink coffee and work collaboratively.听The salon area, in particular, has quickly become a favourite among students with its comfortable lounge seating, computer workstations, reference book collection and space for quiet study.
Left: From left, 91亚色 Board of Govenors Chair Paul Cantor and 91亚色 Board of Governors member Robert Lewis
The dedication event, which took place on Feb. 28,听closed with a two-minute documentary of the positive reception of the Learning Commons, followed by a description of the plans for the second and third phases of renovations from University Librarian Cynthia Archer. Scheduled to begin in the summer of 2012, the renovations will include:
- 鈥淪mart鈥 classrooms equipped with up-to-date multimedia technologies to support learning.
- More group study rooms and areas for quiet study.
- An airy quiet study room with floor to ceiling windows.
- A revitalized library atrium providing informal space for student exhibits, displays and cultural programs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all about flexibility, making spaces fit the needs of our students 鈥 not the other way around,鈥 said Archer.
Archer added that the renovations will help ensure that 91亚色 remains among the top libraries in the province. Although 91亚色 Libraries have the highest gate count reported among Canadian Research Libraries, a testament to students鈥 desire to work there, they rank low in terms of seat per student ratios in Ontario. When complete, the Learning Commons will add more than 300 seats for 91亚色 students.
A fundraising campaign to support the second and third phases of the Learning Commons is now underway under the leadership of 91亚色 Libraries Advisory Council Chair Isabel Bassett (MA 鈥73, Hon. LLD 鈥01) and former Premier of Ontario Ernie Eves (LLB 鈥70). Donors who wish to support the campaign should contact Tanling Yeung at tyeung@.yorku.ca or 416-650-8209.
To learn more about the听Learning Commons at 91亚色, see听YFile, , 听and ,听or visit the website.