Campus & Community

Carnegie Library Reading Room Dedication Ceremony

Thursday, March 20, 2014, By Keith Kobland

The Carnegie Library recently reopened after a lengthy renovation project, and it didn’t fail to impress. This video provides highlights from some of the speakers during reading room dedication ceremonies, along with students who say they’re amazed at the view.

Carnegie Library Reading Room Dedication from Syracuse University News on Vimeo.

Here’s a transcribed version of the video:

Chancellor Kent Syverud: When I walked into this space that first day, I breathed deep and relaxed, and I said to myself “Wow, this is a university.” No less than Hendricks Chapel, no less than Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College, no less than the Carrier Dome, this space defines our home as a great university library space does everywhere.

K. Matthew Dames, Interim Dean of Libraries: This room is dedicated to silent, individualized study space, and I just found out that number of seats—and the orange people in the room will appreciate this—there are 144 seats in this room. One of the things that’s beautiful about it, is the reaction to it amongst current students and alumni.

Patrick Neary, Graduate Student Organization President: I’m excited. It’s an inspiring space. It used to be much worse. I’m actually a math graduate student myself. I’ve been in this building for many years. It was… not the greatest of places, and it was in danger of being lost. And I’m very, very happy to see what it is today. It’s inspiring. It’s useful, and I’m excited to being using it.

Boris Gresely, Student Association President: It’s absolutely amazing. It’s incredible. It’s great to see now Carnegie Hall being, Carnegie Library being renovated. I mean, it was not in the top of its conditions beforehand and now it’s a great space for students to definitely be here.

Pamela McLaughlin, Director of Communications and External Relations, Syracuse University Libraries: It’s such a wonderful day to have all these people come out, to experience this room and to see what, you know, I would say miracles have been brought here. Suzanne Thorin had a vision for this and was just so insistent that we return this room to it’s former glory, and the students love it, so that’s—it’s been worth it, I think.