Improving Library Services

With so many students spending this much time in the Library, Cal Poly students have lots of ideas about improvements to make the Library a wonderful student environment with great services. Students identified five major issues that SLAC is now working on with the Library.

Students need additional outlets available for laptops and other electronic devices.

This was the single biggest issue for students. Almost 50% of students said working on this issue was "very important" and another 30% said it was "somewhat important."
What we're doing
In the last three years the Library has added nearly 500 power outlets in the form of power strips on walls, along windows, and even in the floors (check out 111H!).
What we could do with additional funding
With $12,000, another 600 outlets could be added along the windows overlooking the Atrium on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors of the Library. That is $20 an outlet!
What we will do with a new building
Plans for the Library addition (Academic Center and Library) call for state-of-the-art spaces for study and collaboration that will support ubiquitous power as well as network access. The new building will help accommodate the growing demand for ways to keep mobile devices powered up for student use, wherever they are in the Library.

Students want to know where to find an open computer … and they want more computers (not more laptops).

The Library offers nearly 300 computers today, including 40 laptops available for wireless use anywhere in the Library. Many of the computers are located in labs that are sometimes scheduled for classes. Imagine if you could walk in the front door and see a map showing you exactly which computers are in use, and which labs have classes in them!
What we are doing
By asking computer users to log in to the Cal Poly network ("Pharos sign-up"), we now have the ability to create digital maps showing which computers are occupied and which computers are available … lab by lab, and floor by floor. This system is in early beta now and will be operational by Fall 2011. We are also adding 30 new computer workstations, distributed on the 3rd and 4th floors of the Library — wherever there's space, and access to the network.
What we could do with additional funding
With additional funding the Library could update and increase the number of workstations in and around Room 111 (the GIS/Research Help room) to add more workstations with improved seating and workspaces.
What we will do with a new building
Plans for the new Academic Center and Library building call for expanded access to computing, including labs that will support specialized access to data and statistics; spaces for using and creating multimedia, classrooms, and small group spaces suitable for collaboration and presentation practice.

Students want the Library to stay open later on Friday and Saturday.

Almost 60% of students said it was important to keep the library open later than 5 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. In response to this overwhelming number a follow-up questionnaire was sent to the initial survey's respondents. We asked them how late they would personally use the main library if it were open on Friday and Saturday, and between 30 and 35% said they would personally stay till at least 10 pm!
What we are doing
A pilot program in Spring 2011 using existing staff is keeping the Library open an hour later on Friday and Saturday, till 6 pm. We've done some counting and learned that between 150 and 250 students are staying to study till 6 pm, so we will continue these expanded hours next academic year!
What we could do with additional funding
With funding for additional staff and students, we could keep the Library open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. To keep the whole library open 24/7 the Library would need funding for three to four more additional staff.
What we will do with a new building
A new building will offer even more options for late night group and individual study spaces, some of which like the current 24-hour spaces may not require staffing.

Students would like to see the atrium space improved for studying.

What we are doing today
In Fall 2010 an interdisciplinary class from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design consisting of ornamental horticulture, construction management, and architecture students, developed some very creative proposals for improving the atrium using sustainable design ideas. The Library is evaluating their ideas now, and working with campus facilities to create a final design and phased implementation. A generous recent gift of a Kennedy Library donor will give us an opportunity to begin this work as soon as summer 2011. Several ideas include adding power and more comfortable seating to the atrium area; "greening" the upper balconies to soften and add color to the cement; and adding features that will protect atrium seating both indoor and out of doors from direct sun in the warmer months.

Students would like the Library to feel more welcoming and inviting (more student artwork, soft, comfortable seating, etc.).

It's no wonder students want to feel more comfortable when they're spending so many hours at the Library!

What we are doing
SLAC and the Library are working to identify a range of fundable improvements that could include adding art display space for student art, creating small niches of soft beanbag-style seating on the upper levels, and adding more plants.
What we could do with additional funding
With more funding there are many things we could do to refresh and brighten the environment, with colorful relaxing seating for individual readers, comfortable group study chairs and tables equipped with power; new carpeting; big white boards in study areas on the third floor; updated group study rooms with monitors, white boards, and fresh paint. And much more! We are also looking at creating more group study spaces and a quiet reading room on the upper level with comfortable seating and great views.
What we will do with a new building
The new building will include a broad, transparent concourse between the old and new libraries; covered outdoor seating, additional exhibit space, and much more. With many student-focused offices and groups sharing space in the new Academic Center and Library, there will be many ways that student work and student life can be shared and enjoyed.