IPFW to Cut Ribbon on Renovated Library

By Alex Brown | Inside INdiana Business

Fort Wayne-

IPFW will cut the ribbon Tuesday on its renovated Walter E. Helmke Library. The university says the more than $11 million project, which took nearly a year to complete, is the most extensive renovation in the library's 44-year history.

The project included upgrades to the library's power grid, network and WiFi access, new computing facilities, a new grand staircase connecting the first floor and the second-floor IPFW learning commons and new study spaces. It also included a new heating and cooling system, upgraded plumbing and restrooms and new LED lighting.

"Many thanks to the state legislators who approved the money to upgrade the infrastructure and refresh the Helmke Library, making it a state of the art facility for the IPFW community, said Alexis Macklin, dean of Helmke Library. "The renovated space isn’t just beautiful, it’s more energy efficient and will save the campus money spent on these types of resources."