Park Library hosts opening reception for new collaborative learning space


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Delta Zeta President Maggie Grant, left, and Delta Zeta Alumna Relations Chair Gina Pizzimenti, right, cut the ribbon for the Copeland Suite Opening Reception, on Wednesday, Sept. 14,in the Park Library.

A new collaborative suite opened in the Charles V. Park Library and was presented Wednesday in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Last fall, the master plan for the library was introduced to designate usage themes for each of the library’s four floors. Each theme was designed to focus on providing flexibility for evolving learning-space needs among students.

The theme for the second floor is research and service-rich spaces for students.

The Copeland Suite includes seating for more than 75 people, movable furniture, semi-private collaboration pods, flat screen monitors, marker boards, and power outlets for the use and charging of mobile devices.

“One thing we’ve heard from our students many times is that there is not enough group study space in the building,” said Kathy Irwin, Interim Dean of Libraries. “We’re really excited to see what the students say about the space and how they use it.”

Renovations on the second floor were finished in August, a week before classes began. The cost for the Copeland Suite was $500,000.

Library Ambassador Celeste Hay said the master plan is helping the library stay up to date and evolve with the student body. As a fashion merchandising student, Hay said the Copeland Suite is a place where she can go to feel inspired to do creative work.

“This is a space where I can come and be inspired as a fashion student, but then it’s also a space that’s comfortable for doing a research paper or working on a group project,” Hay said.

The space was named after alumna Irene Copeland, who worked as a school librarian and educator in Saginaw after she graduated from CMU.

Former Dean of Libraries, Tom Moore, met Copeland through his wife, Gail, former Director of Development in the College of Science and Technology.

Copeland supported the CMU library while she was alive through various donations and again after her death in 2010 through an estate gift of $409,000.

“She would be so thrilled with this learning space,” Gail said about Copeland. “This is perfect in her honor because she loved libraries and she was so interested in helping students.”

Tom called Copeland a “true educator and charming lady.”

“Irene would be thrilled that her estate gift has enabled the CMU library to take the next step in supporting student learning by offering a collaborative space, now known as the Copeland Suite.”

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McKenzie Sanderson is the Sports Editor at Central Michigan Life. She is a senior at Central ...

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