"Soft opening" at start of semester marks end of major construction, capping 3-year, $45 million renovation
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth will informally mark the end of major work on a three-year, $45 million renovation next Tuesday, as University officials and students celebrate the opening of the addition to the renovated Claire T. Carney Library.
"There is no better way to welcome our students back than the opening of this inspiring new space," said Chancellor Divina Grossman. "This is a beautiful addition to our university and will bring our academic community closer together."
This "soft opening" on the first day of the spring semester will include the Library's dean and assistant dean greeting students from 7:30 a.m., free hot chocolate sponsored by the UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association, and free samples of food and Starbucks coffee that will be offered at the addition's café by Chartwells, the University's catering partner.
"After more than three years of construction work, it's so good to introduce students, faculty and staff to our new campus living room," said Assistant Dean Catherine Fortier-Barnes. "We've transformed an uninviting outdoor area into a bright, welcoming, totally unique gathering place we can all be proud of."
A formal grand opening of the fully renovated and expanded Library will be held on Tuesday, April 2 to kick off Chancellor Grossman's Inauguration festivities. A full schedule of the events focusing on the achievements of students, alumni, staff and faculty will be released soon.
The addition features a brand new space that is the new entryway for the Library. The "campus living room," with its fifty-foot-tall windows, coffee tables, low bookcases and even two working fireplaces make it the campus's premier place to meet, talk, or study.