UOIT/Durham College Campus Library to receive top American library award
June 7, 2006
OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College announced today that the Campus Library recently won an Interior Design Award in the category of Academic Libraries: over 30,000-square-feet at the Library Interior Design Competition.
Sponsored by The American Library Association (ALA) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the inaugural competition honours excellence in library interior design incorporating aesthetics, design creativity, function, and satisfaction of a client's objectives.
"As Ontario's fastest-growing university we are thrilled to receive such a prestigious award from the ALA and the IIDA," said Dr. Gary Polonsky, president of UOIT. "Our vision was to construct a building that could accommodate the growing number of students enrolled at UOIT and Durham College, and be fully responsive to the needs of our joint academic community. We sincerely believe we have accomplished this goal, and are honoured that our American colleagues feel the same way."
Designed by award-winning architects Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc., the Campus Library - a shared service between UOIT and Durham College - opened in October 2004. It features a wireless environment with individual and collaborative learning spaces, research workstations, electronic classrooms, computer workstations, and the three-storey glass rotunda Dixon-Alger Fireside Reading Room.
"The Campus Library is a beautiful building and represents an important part of the educational experience we provide at Durham College. It supports the teaching and learning of our faculty and students while providing an academic and social commons for the entire campus community," said Leah Myers, president of Durham College. "We are extremely proud to be recognized with such an impressive award."
More than 100 entries from across North America were submitted to the Library Interior Design Competition. The UOIT/Durham College Campus Library will be officially honoured at the ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards Reception on June 26 at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.
"Our objective was to design a Campus Library that would incorporate functionality, flexibility and changing technology - without sacrificing the warmth of a traditional library," said Susan Barclay-Pereira, director of Program Development at Durham College and former dean of the Campus Library. "We are delighted to be recognized by the ALA and IIDA for our efforts."
About the University of Ontario Institute of Technology
As the province's newest university, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, social science, and education.
The university is committed to research excellence and has attracted significant research grants and awards including a Tier 1 Research Chair. Sharing facilities and selected services with Durham College, UOIT has attracted over 3,000 students since its inception in 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for seven years running, and at a 93.1 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We've got over 5,800 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in just under 100 programs, as well as about 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
Sponsored by The American Library Association (ALA) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the inaugural competition honours excellence in library interior design incorporating aesthetics, design creativity, function, and satisfaction of a client's objectives.
"As Ontario's fastest-growing university we are thrilled to receive such a prestigious award from the ALA and the IIDA," said Dr. Gary Polonsky, president of UOIT. "Our vision was to construct a building that could accommodate the growing number of students enrolled at UOIT and Durham College, and be fully responsive to the needs of our joint academic community. We sincerely believe we have accomplished this goal, and are honoured that our American colleagues feel the same way."
Designed by award-winning architects Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc., the Campus Library - a shared service between UOIT and Durham College - opened in October 2004. It features a wireless environment with individual and collaborative learning spaces, research workstations, electronic classrooms, computer workstations, and the three-storey glass rotunda Dixon-Alger Fireside Reading Room.
"The Campus Library is a beautiful building and represents an important part of the educational experience we provide at Durham College. It supports the teaching and learning of our faculty and students while providing an academic and social commons for the entire campus community," said Leah Myers, president of Durham College. "We are extremely proud to be recognized with such an impressive award."
More than 100 entries from across North America were submitted to the Library Interior Design Competition. The UOIT/Durham College Campus Library will be officially honoured at the ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards Reception on June 26 at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.
"Our objective was to design a Campus Library that would incorporate functionality, flexibility and changing technology - without sacrificing the warmth of a traditional library," said Susan Barclay-Pereira, director of Program Development at Durham College and former dean of the Campus Library. "We are delighted to be recognized by the ALA and IIDA for our efforts."
About the University of Ontario Institute of Technology
As the province's newest university, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, social science, and education.
The university is committed to research excellence and has attracted significant research grants and awards including a Tier 1 Research Chair. Sharing facilities and selected services with Durham College, UOIT has attracted over 3,000 students since its inception in 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for seven years running, and at a 93.1 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We've got over 5,800 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in just under 100 programs, as well as about 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
Media contact
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
allison.rosnak@dc-uoit.ca
