Grambling State News

The future looks brighter than ever for Grambling State University as university officials provided a virtual session via Zoom to give updates on the Digital Library and Learning Commons and other capital projects planned or currently under construction.

The webinar featured GSU President Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr., Vice President for Finance Dr. Edwin Litolff, University Library Dean Adrienne Weber, and Vice President for University Advancement and Innovation Brandon A. Logan.

“We have a great team, and we are committed to student success and operation excellence,” Lemelle said as he opened the seminar. “Tonight’s conversation is evidence of that.”

Lemelle then thanked the state of Louisiana for Capital Outlay funding making multiple projects ongoing for GSU.

He then asked Litolff to give an update on the new Digital Library and Learning Commons, which the university has not yet taken over due to leakage issues during rainstorms.

Litolff said it appears fixes are near completion and that the library has an anticipated opening date in August with fall semester classes set to begin on Aug.19.

“Over the last couple of weeks, it’s been really exciting [to see what’s being worked on] at the library,” Litolff said. “I’ve seen more contractors and individuals working to get the library ready for the fall semester than we’ve had since they were doing construction.

“We’ve identified some of the areas that were concerns and we’ve been working on those for the last year and this July everybody is feverishly working to get everything completed for the fall semester.”

Litolff said that weatherproofing is currently being put on the front wall and about 95% of the bricks on that wall have been put back in place. He said that the south wall was completed last week, bricks are back up on the east wall of the library and that fiber-reinforced panels are going back up on the facades and anticipates completion by the end of the week.

Bricks are being put up around the windows on the west wall and Litolff said those should be completed this weekend.

The next big step will be water testing of the north wall by the state’s Office of Facilities, Planning and Control.

“This is one of the final phases we’ve been looking at,” Litolff said. “The designers for the project developed a new process that we’ve implemented for the water to be able to filtrate from behind the brick wall and to go out of the building so that won’t be an issue for the future.

Lemelle said while the infrastructure progress continues, GSU is currently planning for the human capital and the technology that will support the library and learning commons.

“We are looking at our staffing plan and areas within our IT infrastructure, both hardware and software to support the first digital library in the state of Louisiana and on a HBCU campus right here on the campus of Grambling State University,” Lemelle said. “And there’s more to look forward to as we continue to innovate the space with future additions like a coffee shop concept so that you cannot only grab a great seat in the library and look at a publication online or bring your book, but you can also get some beverage and refreshment right in the space. So, Grambling State University, the city of Grambling, and Lincoln Parish will really benefit from this addition right here on the campus of GSU.

“So, students who are still considering an institution of higher learning still have time to choose Grambling State University. We’re always recruiting for our continuing students and look forward to welcoming you back to our campus and welcome you through the doors of our digital library and learning commons.”

Weber then explained all the nuances a Digital Library and Learning Commons will bring to the university.

“We’re going to have everything that a student could imagine that they need within the library,” Weber said. “We’ll have scanning opportunities to scan information from the archives for patron use, and transfer film to digital. We’ll even have new software that will allow our students to obtain information on demand with access for our faculty, staff, and university community.”

Along with more than 500 computer stations, Weber said the library will have an innovative center that will allow creation, design, and development including 3D imaging, virtual reality, gaming consoles, digital media equipment, and more.

“If someone thinks about it, they can create it, design it, and develop it right in our library,” Weber said. “We’re going to do something different. We want our students to be able to communicate, converse and present in all kinds of ways and we’re going to prepare them and will have centers inside the library that will prepare them so that they can critique themselves and prepare to be better students and be competitive in the global society because our students are world-famed in all ways.”

Weber said the library will have galleries so that students can showcase their work so that students, alums, and community members will be able to see what Grambling State University has to offer. Along with a STEM lab for multiple majors, Weber also referenced a wellness and relaxation system and a space for thought exchange.

“We will sit down and have conversations about what’s troubling the world, what’s good in the world, and how this community — the Grambling community — can make everything better,” Weber said. “Then we’re going to bring in some people from around the world. We’re going to have our local community showcase our faculty who have written books and articles that have impacted the world. We’re going to showcase our students. We’re going to have live arts in the library. We’re going to watch movies on the lawn. We’re going to be a destination, so come enjoy the experience called the Grambling State Digital Library and Learning Commons.”

Logan closed out the webinar with a look at other capital projects GSU is moving toward in the near future.

“This webinar was a precursor of things to come,” Logan said. “We have built out on our gram.edu (website) a special page for capital projects. Not only can you learn about the capital project related to the digital library and learning commons, but you also get a chance to learn about other projects that are affecting the built environment on campus.”

Found at gram.edu/capitalprojects, the page provides a comprehensive of show past projects, planned projects under construction, and completed projects.

“Our responsibility to you as a stakeholder and a student is to convey and communicate effectively how these projects are being supported, the square footage and the projected completion date,” said Logan. “As prospective students and as current students, it is important that you all understand how this campus is growing for your direct benefits,” Logan said. “So, if you can bookmark gram.edu/captialprojects, you will continue to see an ever-evolving website that will continue to grow information, images, and most importantly, projects for your benefit.”