狐狸视频

U of T celebrates official opening of Robarts Common

exterior view of the new Robarts Commons in summer
Robarts Common, the new five-story addition to Robarts Library, provides room for 1,200聽students to study in quiet or to socialize in soundproofed rooms聽and accessible spaces (photo by Matt Volpe)

The 狐狸视频 community recently gathered at a special ceremony to formally open Robarts Common, the new five-story addition to Robarts Library that was designed as a dedicated space for students.

With ample natural light, room for 1,200 students to study in quiet or socialize in soundproofed rooms and accessible spaces for the entire U of T community, Robarts Common is a human-centred, collaborative area. Opening in advance of the 50th anniversary of Robarts Library, Robarts Common is part of a wider revitalization of the iconic building in the heart of U of T鈥檚 downtown campus.

The stunning new space was made possible through the support of a generous gift from the late , along with support from more than one thousand other donors.

鈥淩ussell and Katherine Morrison understood well the library鈥檚 central place in a student鈥檚 intellectual development and educational experience,鈥 said U of T President Meric Gertler at the official Robarts Common opening ceremony on Sept. 9. 鈥淭hey were profoundly dedicated to ensuring that U of T students would have access to the very best library and study spaces 鈥 state-of-the-art, comfortable and beautiful. And through their vision and generosity, they have done just that, together with the many other donors who have made these light-filled spaces possible.鈥

A dream to create an amazing space for students

鈥淒edicated spaces like the new Robarts Common are vital not just for the student experience but also as a way to encourage more open inquiry and research, more democratic debate and more civic engagement 鈥 all critical factors in the future success of our country and, indeed, our world,鈥 said Chair of U of T鈥檚 Governing Council Janet L. Ecker.

鈥淩obarts Common is the realization of a dream shared by my late parents, along with so many others who gave generously to help create this amazing space,鈥 said Robert Morrison, the son of Russell and Katherine. 鈥淭his glorious new building will highlight the importance of the library in student life, and will inspire discovery, daring creativity, and a life-long thirst for knowledge.鈥

The Morrisons, who donated $40 million to U of T, were both ardent supporters of U of T Libraries. Katherine Morrison was among the first generation of students to use Robarts, which opened in 1973, and she recalled spending most of her time there during her graduate studies 鈥 a key factor in the Morrisons鈥 inspiration to support Robarts Common. The university awarded Russell and Katherine Morrison honorary degrees in 2004 in recognition of their tremendous dedication to students and higher education.

Devoted entirely to student use, the new addition is a 鈥渃ampus living room鈥 and is available to anyone from across U of T鈥檚 three campuses. Robarts Common includes hundreds of spots for quiet reading, eight dedicated group study rooms, ample, comfortable seating and full connectivity. The addition represents a significant enhancement for the nearly 18,000 daily visitors to Robarts Library.

A campus jewel, Robarts Common was supported by more than a thousand donors

鈥淩obarts Common reflects U of T Libraries鈥 global stature, and our special place at the heart of the U of T community,鈥 said U of T Chief Librarian Larry Alford. 鈥淚t is a crown jewel for the university libraries, a much-needed element of the revitalization of the historic Robarts Library, and an extension of our work not just in supporting our community 鈥 but building it.鈥

鈥淸Robarts Common] will only amplify Robarts Library鈥檚 role as U of T鈥檚 heart,鈥 said Rion Levy, who is a third year Faculty of Arts & Science student at Victoria College studying literature and critical theory and material culture and semiotics, as well as co-editor-in-chief of The Strand newspaper. 鈥淚ts student-centred architecture and design has already drawn students in, and I鈥檓 sure it will quickly become a favourite spot for all kinds of scholars here.鈥

The official opening of Robarts Common comes during the first year of U of T鈥檚 , which aims to raise $4 billion towards the university鈥檚 highest priorities as well as  as volunteers, mentors, donors, participants and leaders, and contribute their time and talent to the university one million times collectively.

鈥淩obarts Common embodies the spirit of Defy Gravity and how U of T and U of T Libraries continue to re-imagine the role of the modern library as a symbol of free and open inquiry,鈥 said David Palmer, U of T vice-president, advancement. 鈥淭his is a people-focused place for scholars at every level, who will forge bold new ideas and life-long connections 鈥 impacting not only their lives, but the wider world.鈥

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