Grand Valley State University

library@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-3500

Timeline

• June 2008
  Shaping Our Future Announced
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  Shaping Our Future was the first campaign in the university's history to support a broad array of programs and projects in a comprehensive, multi-year effort. The campaign was designed to support a precise set of priorities that: deliver nationally ranked programs to our students here in Michigan; support and help transform the region's economy; and foster civic engagement. The Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons was the campaign's cornerstone.

• Library Program Planning

  Hundreds of hours with architects, planners, user and library personnel helped develop a robust and exciting program that defined the spaces in the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons

• May 2009
  Complete Program Planning

  With the program complete, the next phase of the project would commence: approvals, schematic design and design development.

• February 2010
  Board Approves Selection of SHW Group
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  SHW has an interdisciplinary team of architects, engineers, planners, and educators with an extensive background in the design of innovative and student-friendly educational buildings. The firm was selected for this project because of its dedication to studying, defining, and creating environments that inspire creativity and drive student potential. The firm's work spans the globe, with projects in 23 states and three countries. It has earned numerous awards for design and planning, including recognition as one of the top five education design firms in the U.S. by Engineering News-Record.

• April 2010
  Complete Schematic Design
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  The team created the functional pieces of the program and starting working within the boundaries of the building to determine the best location and relationships between the elements. Time was spent optimizing the use of every available square foot.

• July 2010
  Complete Design Development
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  Design phase took the schematic plans and added needed details like heating and cooling strategies, number and locations of windows and the selection of exterior materials.

• September 21, 2010
  Groundbreaking Ceremony
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  On a beautiful fall day, donors, students and staff gathered on the building site to celebrate the groundbreaking of this new signature building on the Allendale campus.

• May 1, 2011
  Construction Begins
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  After a winter of finalizing the construction blueprints, dirt was moved and a lot of large scale equipment began operating on site.

• Spring 2013
  Target for Completion of Construction

  Plans are underway to start moving the physical collection in early 2013. The entire collection in Zumberge and items currently located in an off-site location will move into the new space.
• Fall 2013
  Grand Opening Celebration

  Students arriving back to campus in the Fall of 2013 will be the first to experience all the rich and varied learning spaces within the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons. We designed this building to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.