<p>For all of my fellow Michiganders and/or those who are familiar with GVSU and other MI universities, I just wanted to really praise Grand Valley for its new, state-of-the-art library and the overall approach it's taking to better higher education. </p>
<p>I was there this weekend for the MWCA (Michigan Writing Center Association) conference, and the library is simple REMARKABLE. The Dean and main spokesperson for it showed us a presentation on how they carefully studied students' studying habits and how they prefer to learn/study/live, and they implemented 31 different kinds of seating, a quiet side and a collaborative side, rooms with special technology for multiple purposes (practicing speeches, practicing presentations, practicing vocals, etc) that can be booked and reserved ahead of time via one's iPhone or any other online system, and just a multitude of other student-focused elements that are just truly amazing and 21st Century-themed. This 65 million dollar library was built for the students, and they're still playing around with how to make it even better. </p>
<p>This library makes my uni's library look like a squished pea, and I'm just really and utterly impressed. I think this is truly a grand feat, especially for a non-flagship university. More state Us should be as awesome!! :) </p>