It’s where students study, write a paper, or grab a quick bite to eat.
“The Phil Hardin Foundation has been so generous to provide the funding to allow the MSU-Meridian Riley Campus to have this wonderful library,” said Judy Bonner, the MSU provost and executive vice president.
Yesterday, MSU-Meridian dedicated the second Phil Hardin Foundation Library, located in the newly renovated Rosenbaum Building downtown.
“Phil Hardin was owner of Hardin’s Bakeries here in Meridian. He also had locations in Jackson,
Tupelo, and Columbus,” said Lloyd Gray, the foundation’s executive director.
Hardin turned his bakeries into a thriving business and used his wealth to start the foundation. Several years ago, the foundation awarded a grant to build this library and the one at the college park campus.
“The grant was for $1.25 million for both libraries. That pays for the renovation of the building and the equipment in here,” said Gray.
The facility is a significant educational asset for the kinesiology students and the business students located at the Riley Campus.
“We see the Riley Campus and those programs and other programs growing, bringing more students to downtown Meridian,” said Bonner.
The Riley Campus Library houses approximately 900 print volumes, a computer lab, and several study areas.
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