VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University family and friends gathered Wednesday to celebrate the completion of Odum Library. U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, was the featured speaker during the afternoon dedication ceremony.

President Dr. Ronald M. Zaccari said the library staff did “an incredible job planning and organizing this beautiful facility.” He referred to the Odum Library expansion as a show of support for teaching and learning at Valdosta State University.

Construction began on Aug. 13, 2001. It was completed on Nov. 12, 2003. The end result was the addition of 95,000 square feet of space, more than doubling the size of Odum Library, which previously stood at 87,230 square feet. The project cost a total of $14.2 million.

The Odum Library expansion features a 24-hour Internet Cafe, electronic classrooms, GALILEO Technology Center, auditorium, expanded media center, climate-controlled archives, study areas, additional book shelving, and Food for Thought — a snack bar offering light refreshments and Starbucks coffee.

Dr. George R. Gaumond, university librarian, described the completed facility as “a very technologically rich building in a distinctive library setting.”

A freshman nursing major, April Jackson, 18, of Tifton, said she looks forward to utilizing the facility on a regular basis as she pursues her academic studies at VSU. She said it’s a good combination of old and modern and offers something for everyone.

“I think it’s tremendous,” said Kendall Belisle, 20, a senior political science major from Belize. “When I first came here, it was under construction. It’s a huge plus for Valdosta State University. The Internet Cafe, with its decor, is a huge attraction for students. I feel compelled to come in here and study.”

Kingston was instrumental in facilitating the shipment of surplus books from the Library of Congress, helping to enrich Odum Library’s collection, Gaumond said.

“It’s great to see all this progress,” Kingston said, standing in the atrium of the new addition.

Turning his attention to higher education as a whole, the congressman said he and others are working on ways to help colleges and universities grow and expand programs. He said every effort possible needs to be put into preparing America’s youth to compete in a world of advancing nations.

“I am feeling good about my own re-election this year … because I don’t have an opponent,” Kingston said, causing those in attendance to chuckle. “So I can promise that I will continue to work very, very hard. I am optimistic about the future of this part of the state. I am optimistic about the future of this university.”

Following the dedication ceremony, Kingston visited the Lowndes County Social Services Building on Lee Street, where he participated in a tour and learned about the different programs housed within. The main focus of this visit was the Calling for 211 Act, which Karen Costlow-Nolan, executive director of 211 of South Central Georgia wants Kingston to sign.

This bill — known in the Senate as S 1630 and in the House as HR 3111 — authorizes $200 million annually from the Department of Commerce to help develop and sustain 211 programs nationwide. If the bill passes, federal monies will fund 50 percent of the annual budgets of the various 211 programs nationwide, including 211 of South Central Georgia.

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, has already signed on as a co-sponsor of this initiative.

Costlow-Nolan said her organization, which serves as a link between people in need of health and human services and the appropriate providers of such services, will be out of money at the end of this month. She said she has too many clients and not enough call agents to assist them.

Costlow-Nolan urged Kingston to consider signing the bill, allowing 211 the opportunity to help those in a crisis situation get the help they need quickly and sufficiently.



To contact reporter Jessica Pope, please call (229) 244-3400, ext. 255.