St. John’s Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony For Library Addition

COLLEGEVILLE -- Students on the campus of St. John's University will soon have a new study and research spot.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Learning Commons addition and renovations to the Alcuin Library was held today (Friday) at St. John's.

St. John's University President Michael Hemesath says the renovations and addition will help provide more resources and study options for students.

"There will be a technology center that will be designed to meet students technological needs, a writing center and we're going to have accessibility services in the same building so it's going to be a one stop shop for a lot of student services." --Hemesath

The Learning Commons will also include group study spaces, a digital media lab and compact book shelving to maximize space without reducing the number of books.

The project will cost St. John's about $25 million to compete. So far the university has raised just under half of the total cost.

Hemesath says as the project gets underway more funding will come in from various donors.

"The board of trustees felt that we needed to move this project along quickly because we want to meet the students pedagogical needs, make sure we are an attractive place for students to come and for parents to send their students."

The project is expected to be completed around November 2017.