King's Library celebrates opening of The Elizabeth Russell Achievement Centre

King’s University College and the G. Emmett Cardinal Carter Library invite the King’s community to the grand opening of The Elizabeth Russell Achievement Centre, taking place on November 25, 2022, on the main floor of the library.

The Open House will take place from noon to 2 p.m. There will be opening remarks at 12:30 p.m. from Dr. David Malloy, King’s President, Adrienne Co-Dyre, Director of Libraries, and Linda Widden, Associate Librarian & Head: Technical and Information Resources.

Visitors to the grand opening will be able to tour the newly renovated space, which involved a complete refitting of the first floor with improved access to technology for students and enhanced study spaces. The traditional front service desk was relocated to allow for more community-based places to learn, collaborate and research including via technology pods. With these renovations and enhancements, the library is further positioned as an accessible, inclusive and inspiring environment for learning, collaboration, creativity, and student success activities.

These enhancements were made possible by a $1 million donation from the estate of Elizabeth Russell, one of the largest individual gifts in King’s history. In recognition of this generous support, the first floor of the library is being named The Elizabeth Russell Achievement Centre.

A valued member of the King’s staff from 1970 to 1993, Russell held a series of roles with increasing levels of responsibility at the library, retiring as an award-winning Chief Librarian. During her tenure, plans were finalized to build the current library, which opened in 1995. Today, the library is revitalized as a vital and valued space within the King’s community enabled by Russell and her stewardship.

“Ms. Russell has demonstrated, through this generous gift, her continuous belief in being a responsible guardian of education. Little did she know the future needs of our students and the technological supports that would be necessary to further their education and help them flourish. However, she entrusted to us her belief in King’s and that we would be good stewards. I am so grateful for her leadership and honoured to see her positive impact on the community will continue,” says Dr Malloy.

“Ms. Russell was deeply committed to the library throughout her 23-year career at King’s, and we are pleased her legacy will carry on thanks to the generous donation from her estate. Our students are benefiting from the improved study spaces and enhanced technology in The Elizabeth Russell Achievement Centre, and we are excited to see how they will utilize this space for years to come,” says Kim Malcolm, Acting Executive Director, Alumni and Development.

“Elizabeth dedicated more than two decades of her career to King’s, and she was committed to the library as the heart of the College. This donation honours her vision for the Cardinal Carter Library, and her legacy will benefit students for years to come,” says Ms. Eileen Fallows, speaking on behalf of Elizabeth Russell’s estate when the gift was announced in November 2020.

For more information and to register to attend, please visit the event listing.

London Free Press: University set to open book on library overhaul after ex-bosses $1M donation