Continuing its leadership in educational technology, Iona College will dedicate on Saturday, October 17, its re-designed and expanded Ryan Library, one of the most advanced college libraries in the nation and one that is worthy of a nationally ranked private college. The $ 14 million project-- which was fully paid for by funds contributed by private donors and grants from the Kresge Foundation and the Booth Ferris Foundation--represents a sweeping renovation of the college's 60-year main library and has established a new center of ideas, information and culture on the campus.
It is the latest piece of a master plan that Iona College has been implementing since 1995 to strengthen the quality of its infrastructure and programs. A successful capital campaign of $ 100 million resulted in new residence halls, a student center, an athletics center and the new library that was officially showcased today for college officials, supporters, community leaders, alumni and others as part of Iona College's Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Brother James A. Liguori, CFC, Iona College President, said: "We are not only celebrating an important milestone in the history of our college but the individuals who made it possible for Ryan Library to remain the absolute quintessential center of academic life at Iona College for years to come. Thanks to those who gave generously and to the expertise, vision and commitment of the project team members, the new Ryan Library more than fulfills the Vision of Excellence capital campaign we announced for this library three years ago." He added: "They are leaving an enduring legacy for the pursuit of academic excellence at Iona College."
Among those attending the October 17th dedication ceremony will be some of the largest donors to the campaign to raise funds for the library project including Alice Marie and Thomas E. Hales ('58) of Briarcliff Manor, Retired Chairman and CEO, Union State Bank; Patrick J. Lynch ('59) of Sea Girt, NJ and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Texaco and Mary Catherine and Raymond J. Reisert, Jr. ('63) of Kitty Hawk, NC, Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PW Funding, Inc.
The 63,800 square-foot, three-story Ryan Library is about 15,800 square feet larger than the previous library and is equipped with technologically advanced facilities and an inviting design to better serve 4,300 students and alumni. It is the result of four years of intensive research and input from hundreds of students and faculty.
Since opening at the start of the fall semester, the Ryan Library has received rave reviews from students who have made it their preferred destination to study. "We are personally excited to see the students use the library in a way that we envisioned it to be," said Joanne Steele ('87), Iona College's Vice Provost who spearheaded the library's revamping.
The reconfiguration is a marriage of library science and technology that offers students both individual quiet study and group work/study areas. It boasts 104-dual-boot iMac workstations, networked printers and scanners, a knowledgeable staff of reference librarians and technical support available seven days a week and access to more than 80 electronic research data bases comprising more 15,000 journal and newspaper titles, a print collection comprising about 250,000 books and 700 hard-copy journals and newspapers and a caf
