Today@Sam Article

Newton Gresham Library To Celebrate Grand Re-Opening

Aug. 19, 2021
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton

Story by Fabiola Jean-Baptiste

With the doors first opening in 1969, the Newton Gresham Library (NGL) has celebrated many milestones. Starting in spring 2020, the library underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation, the largest such project since opening its doors more than 50 years ago. In a few weeks, NGL will be celebrating the completion of the renovation as the fully operational facility opens to the Bearkat community for the first time since spring break 2020.

In honor of the celebration, on Sept. 1, NGL and the President’s Office will host a ribbon cutting ceremony joined by President Alisa White, Provost Michael T. Stephenson, Executive Director of the Library Eric Owen, and Executive Director of the Academic Success Center Mary Catherine Breen. Group tours will be available, to showcase the newly renovated space.

Then, on Sept. 2, the student-centered celebration begins at 12:30 p.m. as students are invited to attend the grand re-opening for information, food, and fun.

“We have partnered with the Academic Success Center (ASC) and the Programming Council to bring the students an experience of the new space that will leave a lasting impression,” Owen said.

NGL is hosting a resource fair with more than 15 departments across campus to give students one central location to gain knowledge of the resources that Sam Houston State has to offer. Students will check-in and receive their passport to travel around the fair and get stamps to redeem for free pizza. The first 200 students will receive a free limited-edition grand re-opening T-shirt. There will be a DJ, balloon artist, caricature drawings, DIY button-making, trivia, coloring station, and even a meet-your-librarian table. The ASC will also be showing off their space and have some cool, exciting experiences.

The Special Collections and University Archives will have exhibits displaying historical photos and artifacts showing some of the transformations and evolution of the building over time. Sammy the Bearkat will also be in attendance to visit the exhibits and resource fair.

Later in the day, at 2:30 p.m., NGL and the ASC will host a mid-day mixer networking event for faculty and staff across campus to meet the teams over light refreshments and music.

“It has been over a year of limited social interaction, so we are excited to offer a platform for the members of the university to network, meet new employees, and enjoy our renovated library,” Owen said.

A joint effort has been made with the Academic Success Center to embark on a substantial renovation project. It has improved the existing study areas, reorganized the physical library collections, and created new collaborative spaces for the ASC to be housed in the library.

As the disturbance of renovation activities subsided, and the restrictions of the pandemic are lifted, the Newton Gresham Library is in full operation and students are using the new spaces, services, and technologies in the facility.

“The library has returned as an upgraded center of discovery, with strengthened support for research pursuits, and an augmented capacity for collaborative endeavors for the entire campus,” Owen said. “We look forward to our students enjoying our big grand re-opening event.”

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