Bata Library Renovation

BATA TRANSFORMATION UPDATE

Scheduling details and a sneak peek at features and progress through our photo gallery

Everyone is eager to see the results of the Bata Library transformation, which has been underway over the past year, and to hear an update on progress to date.

Nearing completion, they are looking at a phased-in return to the Library this fall. Among the completed highlights are a return to the gorgeous exposed wood staircases, a brand new green wall on the main floor, restoration of the wooden trellises, and plenty of new student study and meeting spaces. In the weeks leading up to the opening, the full suite of Library services and resources will continue to be available to all students, faculty, and alumni as the academic year begins. Library staff will be available to assist new and returning students.

As you are reading this message, books are being reloaded back onto the shelves at Bata.

Get a glimpse into construction progress over the past year during this $18 million renovation by visiting the Bata webpage: trentu.ca/ batatransformation/photos

In other Library news:

• Trent University is working with the Internet Archive to digitize and preserve 250,000 books from the

Thomas J. Bata Library through the

Open Libraries project. • University Office of Advancement reports the successful completion of the $2 million fundraising campaign for the Bata Library, and has since raised a further $145,000 for a Bata Library Furniture fund to restore, refurbish and return some of the precious original furniture. • During convocation, Alumni Affairs hosted a reunion for the Classes of 1964 and 1965 and several of Trent’s founders attended, including Professor Tom Symons, founding president of Trent

University. Among the special guests were Paul Merrick, the lead architect who worked with master architect Ron Thom on Bata Library and Molly Thom, widow of the late Ron Thom. Mr. Merrick said the work was “dazzling” and expected the new library to be even more spectacular than when it originally opened.

The new living wall is in place and ready to be planted.