University News

Malpass Library Celebrating 40th Anniversary

August 29, 2018

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MACOMB, IL – The Leslie F. Malpass Library will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a reception at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5 in the Garden Lounge.

A brief presentation will begin at 5:15 p.m., which will include the unveiling of a new library donor plaque. Light hors d' oeuvres will be served and a pictorial history of the library will be on display.

The library was opened on Sept. 5, 1978 as the main branch of the WIU Libraries. The facility provides instructional and research support to the University community and houses more than 1 million cataloged volumes.

"In honor of the Library's 40th anniversary, I reflect on how much I appreciate the facility," said WIU Dean of Libraries Michael Lorenzen. "This facility has impacted countless students in their academic pursuits and served as a quiet place of study to many more."

The library is a government information depository and maintains more than 56,000 print and electronic journal subscriptions. The building also houses the University Archives.

Malpass Library was designed by Gyo Obata, with construction and furnishing costs of $12.2 million. The pin-wheel shaped facility has six levels, totaling more than 200,000 square feet.

Since the construction was completed, two electronic classrooms and a wireless computer network have been added to stay current with changing technology.

For more information about the Leslie F. Malpass Library, visit wiu.edu/libraries.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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