Canadore College and Nipissing University celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Learning Library that took place onsite today at the Education Centre.

The $25 million Learning Library facility will be a significant investment to the North Bay area. The library will be an asset to the students and will increase the region's connectivity and infrastructure.

“This is a great day to celebrate and to thank the many people who have helped make the dream of the Learning Library a reality," said the Hon. Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. “I am delighted that the McGuinty Government could join the many sponsors to ensure Canadore College and Nipissing University have a state-of-the-art Learning Library that will serve students for decades to come.”

The fundraising campaign has been successful and is closing in on the $7 million private sector funding goal, thanks to the generous support from the community.

“Thanks to the tremendous support of the provincial government and our MPP the Hon. Monique Smith, our outstanding campaign cabinet, and the many donors who have made this project a reality, we are celebrating the groundbreaking of our new Learning Library,” said Canadore College President Barbara Taylor. “On behalf of Canadore’s students, employees and Board of Governors, I want to thank everyone who has helped us to get to this great day. The Learning Library will be a vital resource for Canadore College, Nipissing University and for the entire region.”

The new facility will be twice the size of the current library and provide the spaces, tools, and resources required to support the needs of a diverse student and faculty population.

“This is a momentous occasion for Nipissing University, Canadore College and our entire region,” said Nipissing University President, Dr. Lesley Lovett-Doust. “Our students have been telling us clearly that a new library is something they really need, and it is so exciting that we are now beginning construction on a beautiful new facility that will transform our campus and will be a wonderful resource for all our students. I must thank my predecessor, Dr. Dennis Mock, who partnered with Barbara Taylor to champion the Learning Library. Dennis and Barbara put together all the pieces to make this dream a reality. The individual contributions of each one of our donors, whose generosity and investment in the future of learning is making all of this possible. Thank you everyone. Most of all, a very special thank you to MPP, Hon. Monique Smith, who has been a strong champion of our region, and to the provincial government, who recognized the importance of the Learning Library and invested $19 million in the project.”

Guest speakers included the Hon. Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing, Barbara Taylor, President of Canadore College, Dr. Lesley Lovett-Doust, President of Nipissing University, Dr. Dennis Mock, Past President of Nipissing University, and Charles Gagnon, Co-Chair of the Learning Library Campaign.

www.thelearninglibrary.ca