Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

University to Expand Libraries’ South Campus Facility for Research Treasures

Thursday, July 21, 2016, By Pamela Whiteley McLaughlin
Share

Dean of Libraries David Seaman has announced the creation of a state-of-the-art addition to the Syracuse University Libraries Facility, to provide 15,000 square feet of climate-controlled space in which to preserve the University’s rare and archival research and teaching collections. This much-needed expansion is funded in part by a gift from Bill Brodsky ’65, G’68 and Joan Brodsky ’67, G’68, alumni and generous supporters of the University. The design phase of the project will begin immediately, with construction expected to be completed in 2017.

An artist's rendering of the location of the library facility

An artist’s rendering of the location of the library facility

The first module of the facility opened in 2012 and can hold 1.2 million books and journals. Circulating materials housed here are delivered speedily to campus upon request, or digitized and sent via email. The impact of the facility to date has been considerable, freeing up space on campus for new library acquisitions and allowing for dramatic renovations to the lower floors of Bird Library, now open 24 hours a day during the week all semester and the busiest student space on campus. It is expected that the upcoming expansion to the facility will be equally impactful on research and teaching.

The planned second module will expand what can be stored at the facility to include materials from Special Collections, University Archives and the Belfer Audio Archive. The facility will include cool and cold storage vaults that will provide optimal environmental conditions to ensure the long-term viability of the unique paper, film, audio and photographic materials held by the University. The storage facility will significantly increase the libraries’ ability to provide users with both original materials and digital copies for teaching and research. The University’s institutional history, held in the University Archives, will also be easier to access thanks to this capital investment in the libraries.

“These expanded and enhanced spaces are part of a broader plan for the curation and digitization of Syracuse University’s pre-eminent research collections, to meet the needs of faculty and students into the future,” says Seaman. “The new module will enable future generations of scholars and students to discover and use the libraries’ landmark photography and media collections, such as the Margaret Bourke-White and Clara Sipprell collections, the University film archives and many others.”

“Bill and I are pleased to be able to provide this gift to Syracuse University,” says Joan Brodsky. “This state-of-the-art facility is a critical component of the libraries’ infrastructure for preserving and providing access to its very fragile treasures.” Fundraising continues for this and other library infrastructures and spaces.

The Brodskys have a long-standing relationship with the University, from which they each hold two degrees. Their three sons are also University graduates, as is Bill’s brother and both of Joan’s brothers. Bill is a Life Trustee of the University and served on the Law School Board of Advisors from 1995-2003. He is chairman of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, after beginning his career as an attorney in the securities industry. Joan is a member of the Syracuse University Libraries Advisory Board and a former member of the iSchool Advisory Board. She also serves on the boards of the Newberry Library in Chicago, the Foundation Board of the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Ill., and the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.

  • Author

Pamela Whiteley McLaughlin

  • Recent
  • Co-President of Disability Law Society Eyes Career in National Security Law in Washington
    Thursday, July 31, 2025, By Jordan Bruenger
  • National Grid Summer College Scholars Program Invests in Energy Literacy
    Thursday, July 31, 2025, By Hope Alvarez
  • Lights, Camera, Imagination! Faculty Help Turn Teens’ Ideas Into Films (Video)
    Thursday, July 31, 2025, By Diane Stirling
  • Bowlers Wanted for Faculty and Staff Bowling League
    Thursday, July 31, 2025, By News Staff
  • Lender Center New York Event Gathers Wealth Gap Experts
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Diane Stirling

More In Campus & Community

Co-President of Disability Law Society Eyes Career in National Security Law in Washington

Kaitlin Sommer L’26 is always planning ahead. Throughout her life, she has continuously asked herself, “Is there a better or more efficient way to do this?”, “Am I advocating for what I need?”, “How can I figure this out by…

National Grid Summer College Scholars Program Invests in Energy Literacy

National Grid and Syracuse University’s Office of Pre-College Programs have partnered to inspire the next generation of innovators through the National Grid Summer College Scholars Program. The program will support selected Syracuse City School District high school students for the…

Bowlers Wanted for Faculty and Staff Bowling League

Do you enjoy bowling? Would you like to try bowling? Are you looking for a fun activity with your colleagues? The Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) Faculty and Staff Bowling League is seeking new…

Lender Center New York Event Gathers Wealth Gap Experts

Nearly 30 Syracuse University faculty and postdoctoral researchers and nationally known thought leaders who study the wealth gap in America explored the issue at a recent event in New York City hosted by the Lender Center for Social Justice. The…

Registration Now Open for Orange Central Homecoming 2025

Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate your Orange pride! It’s time to sign up for Orange Central Homecoming 2025, Oct. 17-19. Syracuse University alumni are invited back home for an amazing fall weekend packed with tradition, connection and…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.