Renovation to entrance at QU’s Brenner Library completed

QUINCY – Quincy University recently renovated the elevated concrete main entrance to Brenner Library. A portion of the project was paid with funds from a grant from the Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust in 2020.

Brenner Library has offered access to a wealth of information and support from experienced staff for more than 50 years. The original elevated entrance recently began to show wear. To provide a safe and sustainable main entrance to the library, QU secured the services of Klingner & Associates to create the structural design and plan to remove the original entrance and the construction of a new elevated stair and landing. QU hired Jeff Schutte Builders for removal and construction of the entrance. A.H. Kemner & Sons, Inc. painted the stairwell walls. The project was completed during the summer.

Brenner Library is at the center of student success at Quincy University. The library houses the university’s academic support programs including, the J. Kenneth Nesbit Student Success Center and the QUEST Center. The SSC provides students with free tutoring, supplemental instruction facilities, focused support for writing and math, two supplemental instruction rooms, a computer lab with discipline-specific software, and ADA-compliant testing rooms. The QUEST Center offers student assistance in career services, internships, service learning, study abroad and undergraduate research.

The library offers a temperature-controlled room that houses a rare book collection. Among the 4,000 volumes of rare books is the Incunabula, 57 of the oldest and rarest books in print and registered with the United States Library of Congress. The Gray Gallery, on the main floor of the library, has a professional exhibition schedule each academic year which includes exhibitions by nationally noted and regional artists. Gallery space also is allocated for student and art faculty exhibitions, including the annual juried and baccalaureate shows.

The Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust was established by Marion Gardner Jackson, granddaughter of local industrialist Robert W. Gardner, founder of the Gardner-Denver Company. Before her death in 1976, Mrs. Jackson set up a perpetual trust to aid religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational organizations. Preference is given to organizations in Quincy and surrounding communities in Adams County.

For more information, contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu.