UPEI kicks off Robertson Library renovations
When patrons walk into the Robertson Library’s lobby this fall, they will see a more welcoming space with new flooring, lighting, furniture, paint, millwork, stair banister, and signage, and renovated bathroom facilities.
About 80 people gathered in the lobby of the UPEI Robertson Library on May 1 to kick off the first phase of a renovation project designed to transform the building into a more modern, accessible, and inspiring space that will enrich the experience of students, faculty, and community members who rely on it as a vital hub for learning, research, and connection.
Because of the generous support of donors to the Robertson Library’s $15-million “Love our Library” Revitalization Campaign, phase one of the renovations began on Monday, May 4, 2026, and will continue through the second half of August. In this stage, the lobby will be renovated, and the University Archives and Special Collections unit renovated and expanded. To date, over $6.2 million has been raised for the renovations.
Present at the event were representatives of the Saint Dunstan’s University (SDU) Board of Governors, which donated $1,050,000 to the project. In recognition of the board’s generosity, the lobby will be named the SDU Lobby.
Dr. Donna Hardy-Cox, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research, thanked donors for supporting the Library, saying that through their contributions, they are making a statement of belief in the University, its students and faculty, and in the enduring value of knowledge.
She noted that the University library has always been a place where students go to find knowledge, quiet study spaces, and assistance. Libraries have changed dramatically over the years, but “the heart of the library has not changed. It remains a knowledge centre: a place of discovery, study, and for some a place where they have met a life partner and best friends.”
Dr. Svetlana Kochkina, University Librarian, said the project represents not only physical renewal but also a renewed commitment to learning, research, preservation, and community.
“Libraries have always been places of connection—between people and ideas, past and future, scholarship and discovery,” she said. “Our redesigned lobby will become a more welcoming, accessible, and vibrant space: one that better reflects the central role the library plays in the life of the University. At the same time, the new facility for Archives and Special Collections will provide the proper environmental controls, security, and infrastructure needed to preserve our most valuable and unique materials, while expanding access for researchers and students.”
She also thanked the donors to the Love our Library campaign for their support, saying that their contributions have made this project possible in its entirety, and their confidence in the mission of the library has been transformative.
“You believed in the library—not just as a building, but as a living institution that supports academic excellence, stewardship of knowledge, and shared cultural memory. This renovation is the direct result of that belief. It is a direct testament to your vision and commitment…. Your partnership lays the foundation for the future transformation of this entire library into a bright, welcoming space for our students and researchers!”
She also praised the library staff for their professionalism, creativity, and resilience in finding ways to ensure continuity of service for users during the renovation.
George Morrison, Executive Director of the SDU Board of Governors, said the board is “more than happy” to contribute to the project. He noted that the board has supported UPEI over the past 20 years to the tune of $3,550,000.
UPEI student representative Noah Mulholland said the library is essential to students’ education, but it is also a safe and supportive place where they can find help with their academic studies and their physical and mental wellness.
Peter Doiron, UPEI Facilities Management and an alumnus, said Architects 4 and East Point, the architectural firms involved in the renovation of the lobby and the renovation and expansion of the University Archives and Special Collections unit respectively, have been great to work with.
Doiron added that the project has personal significance for him. When the Robertson Library opened in 1975, his father, Ken Doiron, was among the students and faculty who formed a human chain to move the books from the old library in Kelley Memorial Building to the new building.
To learn how the Robertson Library will function during the renovation period, visit https://libraryupei.ca/renovations-2026
