La Salle University was delighted to welcome State Senator Art Haywood to campus as he presented a check for a one million dollar Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to support the transformation of the University’s Connelly Library into the Connelly Learning Commons.

“La Salle University is extremely grateful to Governor Tom Wolf, State Senator Art Haywood, State Senator Sharif Street, State Representative Rosita Youngblood, State Representative Isabella Fitzgerald and the full General Assembly for the recent announcement of a $1 million award to renovate the Connelly Library,” said Colleen M. Hanycz, Ph.D., President of La Salle University.  “We are especially delighted that these much needed funds will support the upgrade of the building to become a true learning center with multiple uses, which is vital to the University’s renaissance and continued success.

In 1989, La Salle University opened a spacious library with 110,000 square feet of space on four floors plus a mezzanine. The library had the capacity to accommodate its ongoing acquisition of books and the installation of special collections. Learning spaces are the new norm in higher education, as students are learning and researching collaboratively:  seeking spaces for group and individual learning, and robust WIFI.  The project will support improved programming, student activities, and physical spaces, amenities along with traditional library functions that will attract more students, improve retention, garner high caliber faculty and staff, and offer a dedicated location for community-based organizations to develop programming, and increase resources for revitalization efforts in the neighboring areas.

This is an outstanding example of a public-private partnership. It’s a model that sustains and builds upon excellence. La Salle University is a Commonwealth Treasure here to serve the people, and this grant will build upon the University’s distinction as one of the leaders for teaching and learning in the field of higher education.

The $1 million award will support a $3 million investment to initiate the first phase of the Connelly Learning Commons renovations that seek to improve: accessibility, energy efficiency and functionality issues within academic spaces.  These renovations will address accessibility for faculty, staff, students, and community neighbors, as well as improve the overall academic experience in the City of Philadelphia and surrounding region.