Architectural Firm Chosen for New Penn College Library Project

The architect has been selected for a new library at Pennsylvania College of Technology that will be constructed with the aid of $7 million in state funding.

It was announced today that Murray Associates Architects of Harrisburg will design the facility, which will be named the Roger and Peggy Madigan Library and Learning Resources Center in honor of the state senator who serves on the Penn College Board of Directors and his late wife. It will be built with $7 million in state capital budget redevelopment assistance, with the College providing the remaining funding.

Making the announcement this afternoon were Penn College President Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, Sen. Madigan and Board Chairman Dr. Robert E. Dunham. Later in the afternoon, the Board was expected to approve a partnership agreement with the state Department of General Services, which selected Murray Associates after soliciting public bids. DGS will delegate day-to-day oversight of the project to the College while monitoring its overall progress.

Murray Associates has served as the architect for 10 Penn College construction or renovation projects since 1994, including College Avenue Labs, the Rose Street Apartments student-housing complex and the Student and Administrative Services Center, all of which opened this year, as well as the Klump Academic Center, where renovations are under way.

"We are delighted to be working again with Murray Associates on a project of vital importance to the College's educational mission," Dr. Gilmour said. "They will help us achieve a flexible, functional design that will incorporate the latest information-gathering technologies to ensure students have the learning and research tools they need to succeed in their studies today and in the work force tomorrow."

The library will be constructed on the southwest corner of the College's main entrance off Maynard Street, adjacent to the Bush Campus Center and the Student and Administrative Services Center and bounded by College Avenue and Hagan Way. The facility, which will have seating for approximately 1,000 students, is expected to exceed 80,000 square feet.

The current Penn College Library is housed in the Learning Resources Center on the main campus and has seating for 288 students in 28,155 square feet.

The design phase of the project is expected to last up to a year, said Senior Vice President Dr. William J. Martin, who will oversee construction for the College administration. Once bids are awarded, construction will take approximately 18 months, with a completion date anticipated sometime in 2006.

The College has completed a specifications package that will be presented to the architect. Representatives from Murray Associates will return to the Board of Directors sometime next year to seek approval for the basic design plans.

Among the many features to be included in the new facility are the largest open computer lab on campus, study areas grouped by academic categories, a public gallery, a cafe and a retail facility offering supplies needed for library research. Computer accessibility as well as wireless connectivity, where feasible will be emphasized throughout the facility.

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