by Nancy J. Olson
Director of the Jessie C. Eury Library and Associate Dean of Library Services
I am excited to report on four major areas of the Library that received a summer makeover. As students arrive in a few days they will come into these areas and feel at home in a freshly painted, bright, spacious, aesthetically pleasing, and inviting atmosphere.
The makeover began with an over-crowded, desperately in need of paint, and uninviting third floor that was full of back volumes of journals.
All of the back journals were removed and moved to a new location. After Facilities Management painted, Environmental Services cleaned, and the Library staff shifted a large portion of the book collection, the third floor was transformed into . . .
The makeover on the second floor began with the addition of more air conditioning. Now, students can study in air-conditioned comfort on the library’s entire second floor.
In another area of the second floor, the direction of the stacks was changed to accommodate the new arrangement of one continuous call number order for the entire book collection. This eliminates the numerous subject-specific portions of the book collection that were scattered throughout the library, making it much easier for students to locate books. (See photos below.)
Other stacks were removed to redesign the area for curriculum materials that support the Professional Education program.
As part of the makeover, another strategic facility change was to move more than 5,000 media resources (VHS, DVD, CD) into the Library, providing extended access to them, whenever the Library is open. These resources are now located across from the curriculum materials area on the second floor.
This summer’s makeover continues our efforts toward creating a positive learning environment within the library for the students and faculty that implements current technology in an inviting atmosphere that is conducive to research, learning, and scholarship.
Within that context, the students strongly agree that the second floor library space, not touched by this summer’s makeover, is inadequate to accommodate their current learning, study, instruction, and technology needs. To do such, this space must undergo significant modifications. With these new enhancements, we envision all LCU students on the main campus will be able to:
- Enjoy open library space with plenty of light and windows to create the ambiance of bringing the outside inside;
- Take pleasure in a comfortable place to sit and study;
- Benefit from a positive learning environment characterized by multiple types of work areas and seating, designated spaces for collaborative learning and instruction, and use of technology;
- Experience quality acoustics, ventilation, heating, air conditioning, and lighting;
- Participate in cooperative group learning experiences without disturbing others (a new feature);
- Plug in a computer anywhere, with all tables and carrels being wired for power; and
- Come in and feel at home in a warm, comfortable, and inviting atmosphere so that students and faculty will be encouraged to stay for a while.
We are looking ahead to next summer’s project, seeking to replicate the success of the Library’s first floor remodeling project completed in 2007 and this summer’s makeover. The Library will need additional funding to complete next summer’s project. Follow this link to the Library’s webpages.
Photos courtesy of Nancy J. Olson