New Rush library the heart of arts, culture at Edison State

EVAN WILLIAMS/FLORIDA WEEKLY Edison State College spent $7 million to renovate the Richard H. Rush library. The new facility opens Jan. 29. A $7 million renovation of the 40-year old library at Edison State College "unveiled this beautiful building underneath," said Lee County Campus President Dr. Robert Jones, and made it an accessible, modern resource for teachers, students and the public.

It's also now an inviting place to grab a cup of coffee, check out 16th century Italian architecture (among other exhibits), or attend a lecture or film screening in the first-floor auditorium — all parts of which help satisfy Dr. Jones' vision for Edison State College.

In his 18 years as campus president, he says the school has emerged as a local arts hub. He sees the updated library as a central part of that vision.

The new library will serve as the focal point for the college's new Arts and Cultural Center, which includes The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery, the Fine Arts building and the Mary Jo Sanders Garden of Inspiration.

Dr. Rush The practically new library will also meet the demands of a student population that has grown to nearly 8,000 in Lee County and the school's recent transition to offering more four-year degrees, including in nursing and management programs.

The basic structure of the building remains, but the work of architect Tom Mayo of Schenkel Shultz was extensive. The structure "was literally stripped down to the concrete," said Dr. Jones.

"(The library) is the heart. The heart of the campus is back, in a sense, bigger and better than ever… I think it's a very positive reflection on where we are as a learning community."

Generous gift

The rebuilding of the campus library, now The Richard H. Rush Library, was put into action by a $2.3 million gift from Fort Myers resident Dr. Richard Rush and his wife Julia. Dr. Rush has also contributed an exhibit featuring his collection of 16th to 18th-century architecture and sculpture, including pieces from an Italian villa built by Andrea Palladio, the Venetian architect who is considered a giant in the history of Western architecture. The exhibit will be on display at the library's first floor starting Jan. 29, to coincide with a ribbon cutting and open house for the Rush Library, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Rush Library COURTESY PHOTO "We have such a generous and interesting patron," said Dr. Jones. After Dr. Rush approached him about the gift, he added, "It became very clear to me what the opportunity presented."

That opportunity became a nearly completely renovated building.

The plumbing, air conditioning and safety features were all replaced. The interior was altered to include openness, spacious views, warm colors and avantgarde touches like "artichoke" lights, which hang down to the second floor from third-floor ceilings.

"They just put out this very radiant light," Dr. Jones said. "You can see them from the highway."

The old and the new

Two-story vertical windows, which before were partially blocked by curtains, provide soaring views of the campus. A new Seattle's Best coffee shop in the hall outside the circulation desk is a gathering place.

The desks of four reference librarians available to students, who are all also Edison State College faculty, are in glass walled rooms on the second floor. There is also a Teaching and Learning Center for College faculty.

"We do a lot of one-on-one reference (with students), especially at night," said one of the librarians, History Professor Jane Charles. The library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Friday, 7:30 to 5:30 and Saturday 8 to 2. It's open to the public.

Comfy chairs lined up by the windows and in study nooks also each include a foldaway table and power outlets for plugging in laptops. More than 100 new computer monitors were installed throughout the library.

On the third floor, there is a collection of 60,000-plus books as well as numerous private study rooms with glass walls. The Rush Reading Room is a leather-and wood-appointed meeting space, with a bust of Abraham Lincoln, "kind of the Harvard Library Club look," Dr. Jones said.

State-of-the-art updates include wireless Internet access throughout the building, more than 60,000 electronic books, more than 80 electronic databases and plasma-screen television information monitors at the circulation desk entrance.

"The great thing is we've engaged our faculty in all aspects of the Arts and Cultural center," said Dr. Jones. "When they get enthusiastic about something, stand back. Something's going to happen."

An auditorium which seats up to 160 on the first floor, will be the meeting place for events arranged by faculty, like the Black Maria Film Festival or a screening of the film "The Hawk is Dying," with comments from Director Julian Goldberger (Jan. 31). For a more complete list of events, go to www.edison.edu.

Other design elements are emerging as construction workers add the final touches: on the first floor, the carpet meets custom tile flooring in images of a koi pond, mimicking the pond in the garden outside as well as the "Koi Pond" oil paintings that will soon be hung inside.

"Everyone loves it," said student Steven Kolberg, 22, who completed his associates in art at Edison and is now working on a four-year degree in supervision and management while working at the Rush Library circulation desk. "The building was in dire need of getting renovated. The view was always marvelous, but before it was not as well lit and upstairs didn't have as many study rooms.

Fort Myers resident Alisa Dangsupa, 31, also enjoys the changes, especially the new computers. Although not currently enrolled at Edison, she sat upstairs by a window one evening last week, studying to get a physical therapy license.

"It just looks nice," she said. "It's updated. It makes you want to come study."