Mount Allison has unveiled its plans and concept designs of the R.P. Bell Library: Centre for Innovation and Learning to the University community, marking the first renovation to the building in more than 50 years.

The newly renovated space will serve as a home for teaching, learning, and research services. In addition to library staff, collections, and resources, it will house academic support for students, teaching and learning support for faculty, and spaces designed to facilitate the variety of ways in which students study, learn, and innovate.

“The R.P. Bell Library: Centre for Innovation and Learning will foster an environment where students can thrive academically,” says Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Robert MacKinnon. “The design symbolizes our commitment to a high-quality learning experience and serving as the cornerstone of academic excellence for generations to come.”

The library’s concept design includes a Universal Design for Learning classroom, flexible collaboration space to support innovation and entrepreneurship, a data and digital scholarship lab, customizable study and gathering spaces, access to natural light, and an intuitive layout.

The facility will feature a warm and light-filled ambience with core collections remaining onsite. The newly renovated space will also be fully accessible with upgraded elevators and entrances and all-gender and barrier-free washrooms.

The renovation will follow the Green Globes certification System. Green Globes is a comprehensive, science-based, 3-in-1 certification system that evaluates the environmental sustainability, health and wellness, and resilience of buildings.

Visit R.P. Bell Library: Centre for Innovation and Learning for more details and photo renderings of the initial vision and direction of design.

Mount Allison to host CCAA Men’s Basketball Nationals, March 13-16, 2024

Mount Allison will host seven teams from across the country for the CCAA Men’s Basketball Nationals at the newly renovated McCormack Gymnasium in the Athletic Centre.

As the host team, Mount Allison gets a bye into the tournament and will play its first game on Wednesday, March 13 at 8 p.m. with what is sure to be a capacity crowd.

Tournament and day passes are available, as well as tickets to a pre-game alumni event on Wednesday, March 13 from 4-6 p.m. in Tweedie Hall.

Go Mounties!

2024 President’s Speakers Series

Mount Allison’s annual President’s Speakers Series resumed in the winter term and is hosting two speakers on campus in March.

Doug Murphy, President & CEO, Corus Entertainment
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Talk: How storytelling shapes culture to deliver success and happiness

Kim TallBear, Professor, Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Peoples, Technoscience, and Society
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Talk: Restoring Indigenous Land and Life via Critical Indigenous Genomics

For full details on the 2023-24 President’s Speakers Series, visit mta.ca/pss.