Library renovation will result in 'learning commons' to meet students' needs

Bridgewater College's library is getting a whole new look, and it may be the very first project that is fully funded through fundraising.

Renovations started in May, and with the start of the new semester, the construction is ramped up.

Dr. Leona Sevick, provost vice president for Academic Affairs, said the school did surveys a few years ago with all students, faculty and staff to find out what kind of changes they wanted to see in the library.

"It's important that students, when they are working on the project and they're passionate about the project," Sevick said, "they have a way to have their questions answered in one place."

The renovated space will become the John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons. It will be called a "learning commons" because it will not be the traditional place students would go to get books. It will be a place for students to work on projects, use electronic sources and work with each other.

"It's not just exciting for our students, but also for our faculty and staff," Sevick said. "They love working with students collaboratively, it's going to be a good space for them."

There will also be a coffee shop, writing center, IT center and other professional staff to help students out.

The project is estimated to cost between $12-13 million. They are expecting it to open in December 2019 if there are no delays in construction.