News

Looking to meet some of the educational, career and informational needs of the Metro East community, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) has reopened the library on campus and expects it to soon become a critical resource and gathering place for the public. 

The SIUE East St. Louis Learning Resource Center (LRC) will hold weeklong events during its grand opening from Monday-Friday, Feb. 6-10 at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, Building B, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., East St. Louis. Currently, hours are from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

“It is an exciting time for our campus and community,” said Lara Jennings, director of the Learning Resource Center. “This space has served the community in a great capacity, and we are happy to bring it back with upgrades and improvements that will enhance the educational growth and intellectual well-being of our constituents.” 

Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM) operated the library on campus, which had to close June 30, 2016 because of the state budget crisis. The ESLC reopened the library as a resource center on Jan. 17, which was made possible through funding from the Illinois Community College Board. 

“Our vision for the Resource Center is to not only assist the ESLC participants and their families, but also to benefit the community,” said Johanna Wharton, director of ESLC’s Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships, which oversees the Resource Center. “East St. Louis has a public library on the other side of town. There are many people who are in need of computers and assistance for such essential tasks as filling out resumes, employment applications and health insurance forms, and we will be able to help. 

“We will offer cultural and educational programming,” explained Wharton. “Our vision is to offer everything from poetry slams, to yoga classes, to book readings, to job trainings. The Resource Center is a great place for community groups to meet.” 

Programming will include computer literacy geared to senior citizens, Jennings noted. 

Hours for the Resource Center will expand based on the needs of the community. 

Some highlights of grand opening attractions include:

Monday, Feb. 6:
8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – “Display of Voices” poster on display
Noon-1:15 p.m. – Viewing of Project 231 documentary 

Tuesday, Feb. 7:
10-10:30 a.m. – Story time with Septembre Lewis, ESLC Upward Bound Math and Science counselor
Noon-1 p.m. – Tiffany Lee, assistant professor at St. Louis Community College, author of Legendary East St. Louisans: An African American Series 

Wednesday, Feb. 8:
1:30-2:30 p.m. – Dr. Eugene B. Redmond, East St. Louis poet laureate and SIUE emeritus English professor 

Thursday, Feb. 9:
2:30-3 p.m. – West African Dance Workshop demonstration 

Friday, Feb. 10:
10:30-11 a.m. – Inspirational remarks by Philip Alabi, teaching assistant in SIUE’s Department of Chemistry 

Photos:

Lara Jennings, director of the SIUE East St. Louis Library Learning Resource Center. 

Jennings with Vera Jones, parent specialist, who coordinates programs connecting parents to educational and employment resources at the LRC and at Vivian Adams Early Childhood Center.