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Representatives of the college community officially rededicated Moraine Valley?s newly remodeled library. The college is very proud of this welcoming learning environment.

Cake and refreshments were only part of the celebration.

Here Dean Sylvia Jenkins recognizes Rick Brennan, facilities director, for his leadership and cooperation during the project. Dean Jenkins and President Crawley took time to recognize all of the individuals who made the new library a reality.

Representatives from the college board of trustees, the Illinois Community College Board, the League for Innovation in the Community College, the Network of Illinois Learning Resources in Community Colleges, Dominican University’s Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Green Hills Public Library, Palos Heights Public Library, and Justice Public Library joined students, faculty and staff for the event.

Moraine Valley Board of Trustees Chair, Sandra S. Wagner presents Illinois State Senator Ed Maloney with a plaque for his contiuned suport of Moraine Valley in Springfield. A portion of the funding that supported the remodeling came from state grants.

(From left to right)Barb Rys, Nancy Hessler, Chairperson Wagner, President Crawley, Senator Maloney, Dean Jenkins, and ICCB Representative John Donahue cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the new library!

Current library staff Jayne Killackey and Doreen O’Brien enjoy the new space with retired staff members Mary McCarthy and June Murray.

The school has placed a nice write up on the school Web site about the library’s remodeling.

The library has announced our Grand Re-Opening Celebration to be held Monday, April 25, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. A special presentation will be held at 3:15 p.m. All students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend.

The new lounge furniture arrived last week. Here are a couple of photos of the crew unpacking everything. The new chairs really give the library a very friendly feeling.

This is the furniture being opened in the lounge area.

It’s been a long road since the construction started in May, but the newly remodeled Moraine Valley Library is up and running. There are still a few loose ends to finish up, but for the most part, the remodeling is complete.

Coffee is brewing in the coffee bar, and already, many students, staff, and faculty are enjoying a cup while reading or meeting with others.

Electronic Alley provides students with access to online tools, word processing, and Internet access.

Fran and Cathleen help patrons at the circulation desk.

Students use the quiet study area.

Marea answering email questions at the information desk.

Over the next weeks all of the COL 101 (College: Changes, Challenges, Choices) sections will be coming into the library for class sessions. Here is Lee working with COL 101 students.

The Moraine Valley IT staff is racing to set up the library’s computers, and the library’s circulation crew is busily working to get the circulation desk stocked and ready for Tuesday, when the new library is scheduled to open. While there may be a few loose ends to tie up on Tuesday, most services appear to be in place for the arrival of our students.

The coffee bar will be complete, but there may not be any coffee brewing during the first few days of the semester. The coffee vendor will be ready very soon.

Alicea demonstrates the new periodicals shelving. The periodicals have been moved to the front of the library near the coffee for more convenient access.

The study rooms are a great addition to the library, which will allow small groups of students to work together on projects.

President Crawley and Vice President Duren stop by the library and check on the day’s progress.

Fran busily works to get the circulation area unpacked and ready for service.

This is the periodicals reading area.

It’s been quite a journey through each phase of the library’s remodeling. The final segment of the journey will be the arrival of students!

Now that the collection is back on the shelves, the library staff is adjusting all of the items so that they are in their proper positions. In some areas, this requires a great deal of work as entire ranges of books, videos and DVDs have to shifted.

Lee moving items.

Helen works to get this section in order.

Here is Irene moving boxes.

Our staff is working to get the library’s collection of books, DVDs, and other learning resources back on the shelves and ready for use.

Lee reads over the shelves to ensure that books are in proper order.

Student aids Josh & Ed are working on integrating the AV collection with the printed collection.

Time is getting tight, but we are still hoping to be open by January 18th. The crew is working quickly to get everything together in time!

This is the new wall at the front of the library.

This is going to be the area for the new coffee bar.

Here are new chairs waiting to be put in place.