
When the doors to the new building open, it is anticipated that not only will the face of the campus change but so will its feel. Structurally and symbolically this 81,000 square foot building will be the union of information access and the information generation. The facility will feature 25,000 square feet of library space housing an ever-changing array of research tools both print and digital for teaching, learning and research making it the intellectual crossroads of the campus.
“The new library will embrace the dramatic advancements in information technology that are transforming traditional libraries into twenty-first century facilities,” commented Dr. William MacDonald. “This new building will improve our students’ access to the OSU library system, ranked among the top 20 national universities libraries.” The existing Newark campus library is extremely small and is the only one of the four Ohio State regional campus libraries that has not been recently upgraded.
The new student center will feature a modern food court, student affairs offices, student organizational space, a learning commons, various lounge and activity areas and a new bookstore. Through volunteerism and student employment, the center will offer first-hand experiences in citizenship and educate students in leadership development, social responsibility, multiculturalism and values. John Berry, dean of students at Ohio State Newark, stated, “It is our hope that the center will foster a sense of community that will cultivate enduring loyalty to the university.”
The building was made possible through the foresight and generosity of its namesakes – John L. and Christine Warner, who are credited with the unique concept of combining the library and student center into one facility. The Warners’ generous donation consists of a $4.5 million lead gift, followed by the establishment of three charitable remainder trusts of varying amounts and years.
It is through the vision of Mr. Warner and the Warner family’s magnanimous gift that the educational experience of students for years to come will be enhanced by The John L. and Christine Warner Library and Student Center.