Facelift to catapult library into 21st century

By Bryan Howell
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

The $26 million library renovation scheduled to begin next summer is expected to transform the building into a state of the art facility and propel it into the 21st century. Although many students may already be aware of the renovations, there are still many unanswered questions as to what the project entails.

Currently, the carpeting is torn and tattered and the décor and furniture is reminiscent of the 70s, qualities that repel students rather than attract them.

Granite countertops, upgraded bathrooms and improved connectivity are all improvements that will make students look forward to spending time in the library, said Henry Dubois, associate dean of the library.

"When a teacher assigns a project that requires us to go to the library and do research I don't like going because the building isn't very student friendly,""said Matt Lambert, a CSULB junior. "It has a weird smell, the lighting sucks, and there is no reason to be there if you are not doing research."

A new Internet café is also expected to attract students, however the company providing the service is undecided. The current café that exists in front of the library will move to the basement.

"We hope for a Starbucks, Seattle's Best, or a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf," Dubois said. "Students tell us they would like a name brand and we agree."

Another upgrade expected to attract more students to the library is increased seating. The new facility will have double the amount of current seating and wireless computer stations that can accommodate 200 students, along with new furniture and plasma TV screens.

"We've talked about having plasma screens in the Internet cafÈ to show ORCA (Online Remote Collections Access) at work along with a paging system to let students know their workstation is available in a new information commons," Dubois said.

An increase in space is also expected with new classrooms and faculty offices to be used by the College of Education and Liberal Arts. The additional space will alleviate overcrowding and stress for liberal arts students. An expansion of the college of the arts resource center currently on the north campus is also expected.

"I think more classrooms and faculty space is a great help to the overcrowded college of liberal arts. I just wish they would have done something before I graduate," said Liz Robertson, an English major.

Although summer 2006 seems a long way off the renovations are expected to benefit students for the next 20 years.