BC3 library starts new chapter
BUTLER TWP — Described as a “blank canvas waiting for its masterpiece,” Butler County Community College's John A. Beck Jr. Library will be transformed into the Heaton Family Learning Commons by the fall 2016 semester.
BC3 officials on Wednesday launched the $5.1 million library renovation project, throwing old card catalog slips as confetti in celebration of the long-anticipated construction.
Steve Joseph, who's been dean of library services for almost 20 years, said it was an exciting day.
“Just like the commons of villages of old, past a green in the center of town, where people gathered to share information, stories, gossip and wisdom, the Heaton Family Learning Commons has been designed to draw in students, faculty, staff and community members, and provide the technology, staffing, space and amenities to encourage conversations among and between all of these groups,” he said to the attendees.
The new building will have fewer books, but will have more lighting, electronics and be more socially focused.
Few changes have been made at the library since it opened in 1974. The building still has its original orange carpeting reminiscent of a 1970s style.
Now most other items, such as the books, card catalogs and bookcases have been cleared to make way for the updates.
Joseph also talked about the importance of libraries.
“For thousands of years, libraries have kept the records of these ongoing conversations on tablets, scrolls, papyrus, now paper and electronics. If you want to know what humanity has been saying about any subject, you can go to a library,” he said.
Additions to the Heaton Family Learning Commons include more skylights and windows, more than 60 computers spread across two classroom spaces and open areas and several independent study rooms. The main entrance will move from the back of campus to the center.
Nick Neupauer, BC3 president, said the commons will be a focal point of the main campus.“We're ready to move to 2015 and beyond here,” he said.Inside the first floor of the library, Neupauer pointed to a cinder block wall facing the center of campus, behind sketches of the new building.“As you look at all of the renderings, this will all be glass,” he said. “It's a vision that's been in place for a number of years.”Much of the funding for the project comes from a $2.3 million state grant and a $1 million donation from lifelong Butler resident and entrepreneur Bob Heaton.Heaton and Nancy Mycka, co-chair of the Pioneer Proud Campaign Steering Committee, also spoke at the event. Jim Beck, son of the current library's namesake and a BC3 Education Foundation Board member, shared his comments via a recorded video.Contractors were approved last week by the BC3 trustees. The Perry Construction Group of Erie, which bid $3.58 million, will be the general contractor. D&G Mechanical of West Middlesex, which bid $719,100, will do HVAC; Fuellgraf Electric of Butler, which bid $549,900, will do the electrical construction; and The Wm. T. Spaeder Co. of Erie will do the plumbing and fire protection. It bid $162,000 and $89,400, respectively, for those parts of the project.Renaissance III Architects of Pittsburgh designed the building.A small section of the library will remain open during construction in the 2015-16 school year.
BC3's Heaton Family Learning Commons will have:• About 42,000 books• More than 60 computers — 24 computers in a first floor instructional classroom, 18 computers in a second floor multipurpose classroom, and 25 computers in open spaces• 10 independent study rooms, for small groups to work on projects and study• 25,000 square feet of space
