The groundbreaking for the Interim Library/Multi-Sport Complex is set for the Spring of 2025 with renovations for the R.P. Bell Library: Centre for Innovation and Learning (RPBCIL) planned to begin in 2027. RPBCIL is more than just a renovation; it is a reimagining of what a library can be, inspired by the voices of our University community.  

Your feedback has been instrumental in shaping this project, with insights from faculty, staff, students, and alumni driving the vision forward since 2019. Most recently, consultations were held in 2024 focusing specifically on accessibility, sustainability, and Indigenous engagement, presence, and representation. 

Great strides have been made since these consultations began. Here’s a look at the refreshed vision shaped by your input and what you can look forward to in your new library. 

A Library Built for the Community  

Feedback from students, faculty, and staff revealed that the library is a deeply meaningful symbol as well as a place. The library matters not just because of what it offers, but because of how it makes people feel. The library is a quiet retreat for study, a vibrant space for collaboration, and a gathering spot for connection and growth. With these priorities in mind, here is a glimpse of what’s to come in the renovated R.P. Bell Library:  

• Flexible Study and Gathering Spaces: From silent study areas for reflection to adaptable group areas for collaboration, every space will reflect the diverse ways students study and learn.
• Universal Accessibility: Improved entrances, elevators, and barrier-free washrooms, alongside intuitive layouts, ensure the library will be welcoming and usable for all.
• Warm and Inviting Design: Thoughtful aesthetics, natural light, and cozy furnishings will create an atmosphere of comfort and inspiration. 
• A Blend of the Traditional and the Modern: A special collections reading room and access to print materials on every floor will complement a future-focused digital preservation lab and a classroom tailored to facilitate Universal Design for Learning.   

In the new year, we look forward to sharing renderings of the library’s interior design, showcasing how feedback from the University community has shaped every step of the process.  

 A Symbol of Innovation and Inclusivity 

The revitalized library will embrace its multifaceted role on campus, serving as a sanctuary for study, a home for library collections, teaching and learning, and a vibrant centre of community, collaboration and innovation. This is a space that celebrates academic exploration and community engagement while upholding the values of sustainability and inclusivity.  

From supporting neurodiverse learners to providing new resources for digital literacy, the new R.P. Bell Library will reflect the University’s commitment to creating a campus that inspires everyone to learn and connect.  

Stay Tuned 

This project is already underway, and we look forward to unveiling more about its progress. In January, we’ll share how connections with Indigenous community focus groups have helped shape this transformative vision, ensuring the new library is a space that respects and celebrates diverse histories and perspectives.  

A key part of this transformation is to acknowledge that we are located within the territory of Mi’kma’ki, the unceded, ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq and we have a responsibility to respect this territory. Indigenous collaboration has been an integral part of this process, ensuring that this project reflects and respects the land, history, and cultural traditions. We look forward to sharing more about this important work in the new year. 

The R.P. Bell Library: Centre for Innovation and Learning is coming soon – and will be a place where everyone will find inspiration.  

Questions? Please email libraryinnovation@mta.ca