The D.B. Weldon Library officially opened its doors on June 1, 1972. Find out how we’re celebrating Weldon’s 50 years of service at Western and what’s next for the iconic building.
Archival exhibit
Travel back in time this fall with a new archival exhibit exploring Weldon’s history, The D.B. Weldon Library: A Look Back. The first exhibit on display in the new Learning Commons, it features archival items from the Western Libraries Historical Collection and reflects back on the planning, construction and use of Weldon Library.
Be sure to take a look at the exhibit cases on the Mezzanine where you can see Weldon’s original colour scheme of orange, yellow and purple.
Community events
Photo of guests on a tour of the new Weldon Learning Commons.
Door’s Open London
On Sept. 17, we participated in the London Heritage Council’s annual Door’s Open London event. We welcomed over 100 guests from the London community for a tour of Weldon highlighting its distinct Brutalist architecture and how the recently renovated Learning Commons embraces the style.
Guests also had a chance to explore the rare and unique treasures in our Archives and Research Collections Centre.
Weldon Library 50th Anniversary Open House
What better time to celebrate Weldon and show off the new renovation than Western Homecoming?
On Sept. 24 10:30a.m.-noon, we’re welcoming Western students and alumni home to Weldon. Guests can stop by to take a guided tour of the two-storey Learning Commons, check out the exhibit, challenge friends and family to a game of giant Jenga or Connect Four, and snap a #HOCO pic at our selfie station.
The ultimate birthday present
In April, Western University allocated an additional $15 million to fund the next phase of the Weldon Library revitalization.
What will be the focus of phase two? As a first step, we’re consulting with architects and Western Facilities Management to revisit the 2017 Western Libraries Space Master Plan to capture updates from phase one.
In the last planning cycle, two key priorities emerged. The first is the creation of a Digital Scholarship Centre, an immersive, technology-rich space that enables digital research and scholarship and fosters engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. The second is a Graduate Student Commons, an exclusive spot for grad students – a place to consult, collaborate, work individually, or gather for community-building events.
While we work out a process and timeline to accomplish the next phase, there’s one thing we know for certain: any planning will rely on engagement and feedback from our Western community.
In the meantime
A rendering of the Spencer Room in the D.B. Weldon Library.
While we work with campus partners to determine the next phases of the Weldon Library revitalization project, construction crews have turned their attention to remaining first floor projects, which will enhance study spaces, and provide some additional public computers.
We hope to welcome you to these new spaces this winter.