Renovations planned for Zumberge building
Oct 7, 2012
As the projected 2013 opening of the new Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons approaches, Grand Valley State University’s Zumberge library is preparing for a renovation of its own, creating space for future administrative offices, according to Matt McLogan, vice president of University Relations.
“The Zumberge space will be remodeled from top to bottom,” McLogan said. “We want to remove administration (offices from academic buildings and return them) to their intended purpose.”
The administrative offices that could move to the old library currently occupy space at AuSable Hall, Lake Michigan Hall and the Student Services Building.
James Moyer, associate vice president for Facilities Planning at GVSU, said all the renovations to the old library will support administrative functions.
Although the exact layout for the Zumberge building isn’t set, arrangements for the space are beginning to take shape, McLogan said. The foundation for the plans are in place, but nothing is definite.
When the new library opens, the current Zumberge employees will be transferred there, according to Lynell DeWind of the Zumberge library.
“All positions currently working for the University Libraries in the Zumberge building will move to Mary Idema Pew Library,” DeWind said.
Along with the retention of Zumberge staff, there will also be opportunities to hire workers for other positions within the Mary Idema Pew library. Staff members are currently preparing for the new influx of potential workers, DeWind said.
“We have made new hires in anticipation of the new spaces and programs we are planning for the new space,” DeWind said. “The people are already in place to help us execute our plans.”
Though the building will no longer be a library, it will maintain the name Zumberge, according to McLogan.
“It’s not (getting) a renaming,” he said, confirming that the building will “continue to carry the Zumberge name.”
Zumberge library, named after GVSU’s first president, James H. Zumberge, was built in 1969, providing GVSU students with a study space for over 20 years.
