Leaders from Gannon University and the Erie County Public Library provided an update on Project NePTWNE which will house the Great Lakes Research and Education Center in a part of the Blasco Library.

County Council recently approved a plan to lease Gannon part of the first floor of the Blasco Library for a classroom and laboratory.
The internet lab and the some collaborative spaces that are currently in this space will be moved to the second floor of the library.
Leaders from both Gannon University and the library said the partnership makes sense.


Dr. Sarah Ewing, the Provost and Vice President for Student Experience at Gannon University said, "It's proximity to the water itself but also our research vessel. The second, I think, is thinking about it as an education center and a space for individuals to come to learn. Really, that's what part of our mission is with this new research center and educational center as well and so we're hoping to expand programing that's available in the library through this new space are excited to be in the library space, provide additional educational programing."


Meantime, Karen Pierce, the Executive Director of the Erie County Public Library said that while this is a change, nothing will be eliminated from the library, "Nothing is being lost. No programing is being eliminated. No possessions are being eliminated. We are just going to be able to offer more and more to the public."

Not all community members are on board with the project being housed at the library. A rally protesting the plan is scheduled for Saturday at one, outside the Blasco Library.