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Written by Shambhu Sharan, The Shorthorn staff |
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Monday, 24 August 2009 09:16 PM |
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Left, Political Science sophomore Sharon Tshibangu and Bio Engineering Graduate Ling Grong gather information on the first day of classes in the newly renovated 4th floor of Central Library. The 4th and 5th floors feature new furniture for students to study. (The Shorthorn: Jacob Adkisson) Renovations lasting from May to August have made some libraries on campus cleaner, safer and easier to use. The Central Library’s fourth and fifth floors were renovated by adding 65 new user spaces, furniture and machines. Each floor took six weeks to complete. “It was a challenge to renovate library while it was open,” said Tommie Wingfield, assistant to the Dean for Marketing and External Relations. “It was non-disruptive during summer semesters.” Knowledge Image Centers were added to the Central, Science and Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts libraries for students to scan materials and books, said Library Dean Gerald Saxon. Students can scan and save documents to their jump drive or e-mail them if they want to save money for prints. “Central, Science and Architecture library added eight group study rooms with computers, electronic white boards with projectors and connection to laptops,” Saxon said. Business administration junior Jeremy Favors said the renovations are contemporary, with more laptop plug-ins and bigger desks for laptop accessories. “Now, it is more individualized,” Favors said. “I can plug [in] my computer to work.” Other changes include students being able to use their Mav Express card for photocopy services in every library. The Central Library will get fax machines for the campus community and the public. Also, a scantron vending machine for 24-hour access may be added to the Central Library’s basement. The library catalogue also undergoes changes. “New user interface, which searches the library’s catalogue is revised and improved which is easier, faster and more precise,” Saxon said. Every floor in the Central Library will be connected to the sprinkler system. New sprinklers were installed to the fourth and fifth floor. Saxon said the university’s central administration paid for the sprinklers and pumps for safety issues, and the library paid for the new furniture, technology and new spaces. The Central Library will continue renovations for several years, Saxon said. Biology junior Homero Llanas said the tables are better than the ones the Central Library had and the new environment is better. “The study area is more comfortable,” Llanas said. “I find more space to do research and study. Now, the library has more computers to access and no need to wait. I can finish my project faster and sooner.” The Central Library also installed energy-saving lightbulbs to make it brighter and ecologically efficient. Biology genomics junior Laura Lavender studies on fifth floor. “I like the fifth floor of the library because it is a quite place,” she said. “It was dark and hard to stay awake. Now, it is bright which keeps me awake.” A quiet zone sign will be painted on the fifth floor, Saxon said. Administrative manager Carleen Dolan oversaw the renovation. Dolan said the painters returned Monday, but she couldn’t give an exact date to when the fifth floor painting would be completed. |
