WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Aug. 30, 2021 — West Liberty University’s Paul N. Elbin Library is completing updates that add convenience and special features for students, alumni and visitors.
“Over the summer months, we changed things to make the Elbin Library a more welcoming place,” said Stacie Groch, head of Library Operations.
“For example, our extensive Children’s Section is now on the main floor with more child-friendly furniture and features for visitors. This is important to our students training to be teachers who bring in students from West Liberty Elementary School as part of their student teaching fieldwork,” said Groch.
The library is a valuable resource to West Liberty Elementary and is used by its teachers regularly, according to Dean Cathy Monteroso of the College of Education and Human Performance.
The Children’s Section now includes more activities like educational puzzles, coloring murals, games and technology. The library staff moved the entire DVD collection to this area as well, making it more accessible.
Other new features in the library include hammock and bean bag seating, located in quiet spots for WLU students to relax a bit as they study.
More changes are in progress that are of particular interest to alumni.
“The Alumni Wall of Honor will be installed in the entrance alcove on the second floor of Elbin Library. This change offers many advantages to our alumni when visiting campus and we look forward to unveiling this latest improvement in a formal way during Homecoming,” said Ron Witt, executive director of Alumni Affairs.
The alcove is a large space near the main stairwell and adjacent to the Nellie Krise Rare Book Room, making it a perfect home for this important collection of photographs.
The Wall of Honor began in 1990 and includes nearly 100 newly-framed and matted alumni photographs of distinguished graduates.
Additional improvements to the Wall of Honor alcove include new paint, laminate wood flooring and window treatments. Additionally new technology is being installed to make the alcove a perfect place for alumni gatherings or campus meetings.
“We are very grateful to the WLU Foundation for funding the new flooring in the alcove,” Witt added.
“The Paul N. and Helen P. Elbin Library Endowment was made at the bequest of Helen Elbin to benefit the library and we are stewards of this generous donation which is funding the new flooring,” said Angie Zambito-Hill, executive director of the WLU Foundation.
Elbin was one of the university’s longest-serving presidents, serving from 1935 – 1970.
Hundreds of students use the library on a daily basis and make use of its technology, research and reference tools. Tech rooms and individual study rooms are available too and are especially popular with commuter students.
“We invite friends and alumni to join us at the Impact of Philanthropy and Alumni Wall of Honor Recognition Banquet taking place on Friday, Oct. 15 when we will honor our new Wall of Honor recipients as well as our top donors. We are looking forward to a lovely evening that includes a gourmet dinner and entertainment and featuring the new Impact of Philanthropy Awards. Please join us,” said Zambito-Hill.
For more information on obtaining tickets to the Recognition Banquet, please visit wlufoundation.org or contact the WLU Foundation office at 304.336.5635.