New for Fall: First Floor Transformations Underway Now
Fall Changes Coming
An expanded, 24-hour Poly Connect Lab with PCs and Macs, collaborative computing stations, and laptop and media lending; a quiet 24 hour study room; new comfy chairs and small group seating overlooking the Atrium; and comfortable browsing for new books and the latest magazines: these are all underway now at Kennedy Library, and will be ready for students and other library users to enjoy this fall.
You asked — we listened
Responding to results of a survey in May 2008, the Library began looking for ways to provide longer Friday and Saturday evening hours, more space, and access to computers for late night study. Adding staff to keep the library open later is not an option, so instead the Library has developed a plan to expand its popular 24-hour study space.
New 24/7 Computer Lab
The first step was to incorporate over 50 computing stations in a new 24-hour open computing in what was formerly the Current Periodical Reading Room. This new Poly Connect Lab ("PoCoLab") will feature 9 Macs in addition to over 40 PCs, and will host the Library's laptop checkout service. In addition to lending laptops, this fall the Library will begin lending other media devices to students from the new PoCoLab desk, through a partnership with Media Distribution Services. Devices available to borrow will include digital cameras, video recorders, camcorders, projectors, digital audio recorders, tripods, and table-top projection screens.
New 24/7 Quiet Study Room
Meanwhile, the former PoCoLab is being transformed into a quiet individual and small group study area with comfortable seating and ample natural light. With glass doors leading to the new Current Periodical reading area in Room 111, this new space will become a quiet 24-hour study room when the main library closes. Throughout these first floor spaces we are adding more conveniently located electrical outlets.
Read and Research in Comfort
The first floor reference room (111) is also undergoing major changes this summer. New windows along the corridor leading from the Library entrance will bring natural light from the Atrium into Room 111; inside, browsing and new books will be found along with new comfortable seating. A reconfigured research assistance station in 111 will allow students and library staff to work together more easily on research questions for projects and course assignments.
Not here this summer? You can take a look at our pictures from the work in progress on the Kennedy Library flickr site.
