Library expansion to be celebrated with ribbon-cutting ceremony
April 14, 2022Project Impact funded through National Endowment for the Humanities matching grant
Yuma, AZ (April 14, 2022) – The community is invited to join Arizona Western College for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the expansion of the AWC/NAU-Yuma Academic Library at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, at the Learning Resources (LR) Building located at the Yuma Campus, 2020 S. Avenue 8E. Arizona Western College, in collaboration with the AWC Foundation, was awarded a $400,000 Infrastructure and Capacity-Building Challenge Grant for the project in 2018 from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The funds, as well as a 1-to-1 match requirement from a local donor, were used to enhance student learning experiences by expanding library facilities and services. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the new library expansion during this event.
The project, Project Impact, has expanded the academic library to include a Digital Humanities Center that supports the college and its three partner universities. The funds allowed the college to expand 2,029 square feet and create a large learning space and other spaces on the northwest side of the library. The AWC Library was constructed in 1965 and underwent extensive remodeling in 1991, but had not been expanded or partially renovated until now.
The establishment of a Digital Humanities Center provides students access to multimedia and a multidisciplinary learning space dedicated to providing specialized technology to support course curriculum and student digital project creation.
“The commitment for a Digital Humanities Center underscores the dedication AWC/NAU-Yuma has for its students and faculty development,” said Aimee Quinn, NAU-Yuma Librarian. “Enriching the library’s many resources with this technology and space affords greater engagement opportunities for the entire campus.”
AWC is home to the only academic library in the 10,031 square miles comprising Southwest Arizona, serving approximately 12,000 people each year. The library is also available to Northern Arizona University - Yuma, University of Arizona, and Arizona State University students, which equates to a total of nearly 100,000 visitors and 17,700 assistance questions annually.
The proposal for this grant was developed by Dean for Academic Resources and Campus Locations Jana Moore, Director of Library Services Angie Creel, and former Director of Grants Susan Dempsey, with key contributions and support from Director of District Operations Steve Eckert, Librarians Wendy Hoag, Tymmi Woods, Sujata Halarnkar, former Librarians Camille O’Neill and Tina Sibley, Library Specialists Julie Williamson and Lupi Rojas, Senior Secretary Kari Oberosler, former NAU Librarian Renee Westphal, and support from a significant number of faculty and staff at AWC, NAU-Yuma, UA, and ASU.
“The ability to provide a space for an exceptional educational experience that can engage our students and aligns with current global needs is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are grateful to be able to expand the library to meet the needs of our campus community and community at large,” said Angie Creel, Director of Library Services.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: www.neh.gov.
The media is invited to attend this event.
Contact:
Angie Creel
Director of Library Services
Arizona Western College
Angie.Creel@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7776