Library remodels computer lab

Over the summer, the James G. Gee Library underwent some renovations. The library replaced the carpet, which has been in place since 1972, with carpet squares, making it easier to clean.

One of the major goals of the renovations was to give the students more space. In order to do so, the library removed two walls and cleared some room in the reference area by relocating approximately two-thirds of the reference print collection. New Herman Miller furniture was purchased and arranged in pod-like sequences to occupy the extra available space.

"Everything is really spread out to be conducive to studying and group work," Scott Lancaster, education and curriculum librarian said.

Only time and student participation will tell if this reasoning proves true.

The goal was not only to have space separating these pod groups, but also to give students more workspace within the groups for anything the students might have brought with them.

"We wanted to provide more work area," Sean Anderson, technology librarian said.

"(Students) now have four feet of space and are more spread out."

The library is so updated and geared to students' wants and needs that even the librarians said they would use it.

"I like it better because you're not crammed in, touching elbows with somebody," Lancaster said.

Another goal of the renovations was to bring the library to the 21st century by updating with more modern technology. There are areas for scanning documents as well as projectors and eight audio/visual laptops available for check out within the library. There are also two study "dens" each outfitted with 46" televisions that students can reserve for group study sessions.

The computer lab also underwent some renovations during the summer II session.

"(It) really inconvenienced students who were there, but it was the least busy time," Lancaster said.

The computer lab received approximately 25 new computers, bringing the grand total to about 85 computers. The computers used for the library renovation were a small part of over 800 total computers brought in to serve the entire campus over the summer.

The library has been working all summer on the renovations and had set a goal to be ready by Monday, Aug. 31, the first day of class.

With the extensive renovations, it remains to be seen if students will use the library more often and freely.

"We're going to continue to renovate the library to make it more of an interesting place for this generation of students," Anderson said. "We have a suggestion box for students who have any comments or suggestions."