The New Sullivan Family Library

The dedication ceremony of the Sullivan Family Library, the largest academic building constructed on its campus since its founding, was held on April 25.

The $14.8 million, 30,000-square foot Sullivan Family Library, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will function as a library and an information services resource center. Adjacent to the new building, a planned 25,000 square foot plaza to be completed in the near future is also included in the cost.

“We are tremendously grateful for the support provided by Joanna Lau Sullivan and family and by the Atlantic Philanthropies in making this project possible,” said President Sue Wesselkamper. “The new Sullivan Family Library will provide members of the Chaminade community with an expanded learning environment that will alter the way knowledge is acquired on and off campus.”

From multimedia rooms to a 40-station computer lab, from printed texts to digital resources, from archives to contemporary media, the Sullivan Family Library will allow members of the university community to conduct research, hold team meetings and access an exceptional collection of materials, including materials with a strong emphasis on Hawaii’s multi-cultural heritage. Students will be able to access approximately 34,000 electronic books, 70,000 print books, 270 print journals and 19,000 online journals.

In addition, the library/resource center has an open-plan library stack and study areas, conduit and raceways sufficient to ensure networking, as well as provision for secure wired networks, over-specified code-compliant electrical service, a back-up generator and central air conditioning with individually adjustable temperature zones.

“Members of the Chaminade community have been excited about its opening since the library’s ground breaking on April 28, 2006,” said Wesselkamper.

The architectural and contractor’s team for the library project included Shaun Ushijima (Ushijima Architects, Inc.) as lead architect, James Odo (S&M Sakamoto, Inc.) as lead contractor, and Gary Nakatsuka (Ushijima Architects, Inc.) as project manager.

The funding of the Sullivan Family Library was part of the university’s highly successful “Transformations” overall campaign (including capital and other forms of external support). “Transformations” has currently raised $61 million, surpassing its initial goal of $50 million.

Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona, Jr. and Mayor Mufi Hannemann joined other leaders in acknowledging the historic event and the generosity of the university’s major donors. The Most Rev. Larry Silva gave a special blessing. In addition, Chaminade’s hula halau and its chanter Marcia Bulosan, protégé of Chaminade’s Kumu-in-Residence John Keola Lake, provided the library with its Hawaiian blessing, which was followed by a Chinese lion dance with Gee Yung Lion Dance Company. Students performed hula, Celtic, and Samoan dance numbers.

On a special note, beginning with the dedication, Chaminade presented several exhibits in the new library. These exhibits include student work in research, interior design, art and service-learning. In addition, the Brother Bertram Photo Exhibit and a historic Hawaiian language newspapers exhibit in conjunction in conjunction with the Bishop Museum’s “Ka Nupepa” project are also currently on display.

For more information, please see the following related arcticles:

KHNL: Chaminade University Dedicates New Library

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Hawaii Catholic Herald: A ‘most prized possession’ -- Chaminade's Sullivan Family Library [View .PDF]

Pacific Business News: Sullivan Family Library Opens New Chapter for Chaminade

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