SIU unveils upgraded library

CARBONDALE -- Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is showing off a $56 million makeover of its library, but more work remains.

Crews have spent recent years renovating and expanding the Morris Library, from the basement up through the fifth floor. Some of the bigger additions include a coffee shop and a Special Collections Research Center, which has manuscripts, letters, photos and rare books.

The university system's president, Glenn Poshard, believes the upgraded library will draw more students to the Carbondale school. He considers it the most beautiful library in Illinois.

Materials still must be moved back to the library from an annex where they've been stored. And the sixth and seventh floors will be renovated, with plans for a new library patio.