With the governor’s signature now final on the 2019 fiscal year state budget, Columbus State University is moving ahead with plans for a $5 million renovation of Schwob Memorial Library.
 
A committee has been working since last year on design ideas for the renovation. With $4.95 million now appropriated for construction, the project moves into the next phase – finalizing plans, and selecting a contractor. Work is expected to begin this fall so the project will be finished by the fall of 2019.
 
“Once again, we owe a great deal of thanks to our local legislative delegation,” said Columbus State University President Chris Markwood. “Each of them is a strong advocate for CSU, and we greatly appreciate their efforts to help us better serve our students and this community. My thanks also to Gov. Deal. Lt. Gov. Cagle, and Speaker Ralston for their support of this project.”
 
The renovation will include:
 
·         Complete replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

·         New entrance and glass exterior to better match recent renovations of other nearby buildings originally built more than 40 years ago.

·         Creation of a learning commons space that will centralize campus advising.

·         Upgrade of the space that houses the University Archives
 
This work is desperately needed, said Dean of Libraries Mark Flynn, who noted a recent roof leak that damaged irreplaceable materials stored in the University Archives.
 
“The original building was erected in 1975 when the student body was roughly half the size it is today,” said Mark Flynn, dean of CSU libraries. “Since that time there has been increased demand each year for additional flexible collaborative student study areas as well as additional “quiet” study spaces, and new library services.”