KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A brand new campus library at Pellissippi State Community College is serving as a spot to discover and have a good time the area’s vibrant tradition.
Pellissippi State is celebrating the brand new Strawberry Plains Campus Library in Knoxville.
“I consider tutorial libraries are actually the center of a campus,” stated Mary Ellen Spencer, dean of library providers.
The library is designed as a productive and social house the place college students can get pleasure from peer studying. It repurposed 9,000 sq. toes on the primary stage and provides classrooms, a digital actuality house and a multipurpose room. It additionally homes the Appalachian Heritage Challenge.
“By means of the challenge, our hope is that college students particularly and members of our group will come to be very pleased with their Appalachian previous,” Spencer stated.
The challenge was funded by the Nationwide Endowment for the Humanities and donations. Spencer stated college students and group members can study concerning the regional literature, historical past and folklore.
“So typically while you say the phrase Appalachia to somebody they consider black and white Nineteen Thirties images and our aim is to have a good time our previous however actually give attention to what we would like Appalachia to be going ahead,” Spencer stated.
The challenge has already been providing quarterly programming whereas the campus library was below building. They are going to kick off academic programming within the new house with an Appalachian Showcase Winter Exhibition that includes artwork, images and music.
“I believe having the challenge within the library will elevate college students’ experiences as a result of they are going to be studying concerning the humanities, however will probably be within the context of our area, and I believe that’s an thrilling mixture for our college students,” Spencer stated.
The library is presently on schedule to open in mid-October. Go to its website to study extra concerning the Appalachian Heritage Challenge’s quarterly programming.
