By Ariel Guertin –
Media Credit: Ariel Guertin - New Macs in the east wing of the library.
Upon first entering the library and turning right, students returning from break are finding that a once familiar space has been altered. During Winter Break and throughout the month of January, significant changes are being made to the east wing of the Learning Commons thanks to a recent $69,550 grant from The Champlin Foundations, the organization responsible for the development of the Learning Commons in 2009. The renovations are scheduled to end by mid-February.
According to Kathleen Boyd, Director of Library services, the renovations were made with two specific goals in mind, “1) Make group space and 2) Make a private space.”
The large computer tables have been removed and separated into smaller clusters. Laptop-friendly technology tables provide more open space for group work and fit large groups comfortably. The blue chairs of the past (still to be found throughout the rest of the library) have been replaced with orange upholstery. Most of the old blue seats have been moved to the third floor, which will offer students in search of a quiet place to study more options for seating during peak library hours.
The renovations also include a new glassed-in research consultation area behind the information desk, which will enhance one-on-one meetings with students when it is completed in mid-February. An open-air desk will remain so that students can still approach for quick answers, but projects that require more support will be addressed at the new desk.
“The old information desk was limiting in terms of helping a student one-on-one with an in-depth research question,” said Lori Barile, a Learning Commons Librarian. Students can schedule an appointment by calling the library at (401) 341-2330 or drop in if they need help on a research project, Barile explained. An information librarian will be available for a personal consultation in this relaxed and quiet setting.
Increased access to technology, including the addition of four new Mac computers on the first floor, rounds out the library renovations this winter. Twelve Macs in total can be accessed throughout the library and they are now available in the study rooms and on the second floor.
Why did the university decide it was time to revamp the first floor of the library? Boyd explained that she always strives to “make the library more student-friendly.” Similarly motivated changes in the past include the addition of the Bookends Café and the extended hours during finals.
Boyd meets regularly with the Student Government Association and suggestion boxes located throughout the library allow for anonymous student input. “It’s for the students,” said Boyd of the library. She stated that this new renovation addresses frequent student concerns about a lack of suitable space for group work, adding that the four study rooms provide only limited area.
“We wanted to give students additional space for collaboration,” said Barile, whose favorite part of the renovations are the large technology tables.
Barile recognizes that the new space “is very different.” However, she is also optimistic that students will be pleased by the transformation of the Learning Commons.
How are students responding to the changes as they return from Winter Break? Sarah Erichsen, a Junior at Salve, recalled her first impression upon walking into the library after Winter Break as a positive experience. She is a frequent visitor to the library and cites the east wing of the first floor as her favorite place to study.
Although she questioned why such new-looking chairs, tables, and equipment needed to be replaced, Erichsen said that “it’s pretty cool to have brighter colors, which seem energizing.” She also immediately picked up on the larger group study areas as an improvement to the Learning Commons.
What future changes might students find in McKillop Library? “My vision is to add a full-service café to the library,” said Boyd. In the meantime, students should feel free to contact Boyd directly with concerns and suggestions for library improvement.
