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A
computer generated image shows what the
library will look like after the renovation
is complete. The project is expected for
completion by the end of 2006.
Library
renovation delayed until summer
By
Marianna Noceti
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Bookworms
beware: the library renovation has been
delayed for up to a year.
The
books have been moved and the space has
been made, but the bids came in higher than
expected. Dr. Richard Outwater, special
assistant to the Provost, said that the
university has now been authorized to use
more funds for the library project, but
it is too late to begin construction.
"With
projects like this, you only get one shot
to renovate," Outwater said. He said
that the delay is necessary for a complete
renovation so students for the next 20 years
will benefit.
The
renovation has now been moved to early next
summer and will take a year and a half to
complete. The project is expected for completion
by the summer of 2006. Although there is
enough money for the renovation and the
chancellor's office is supporting the project,
the board of trustees must vote before the
Legislature first. Outwater said that the
delay is necessary because construction
during the regular semester would disturb
students.
The
major changes will be made to the first
floor. An information commons will be added,
that will house more than 200 wireless computer
stations. Walls will be removed to make
room for public bathrooms and an Internet
cafe.
"We're
hoping for a Starbucks," said Henry
Dubois, associate dean of the library.
The
renovation will also include the addition
of six classrooms. Outwater said the new
classrooms will include wireless accessibility.
Faculty offices will be added for the liberal
arts department.
"In
the English department, we have three or
four people crammed into offices that are
designed for one or two," said Tyler
Dilts, an English lecturer. Both Dilts and
Outwater expressed the need for additional
office space, but Dilts was also concerned
with the efficiency of new technology and
its influence on the existing books at the
library.
Dilts
said that the English department relies
on print and his concern lies with the ability
to go to the library. He said that having
additional office space would be a compromise
for the new technology.
"There
will always be a place for print,"
Dubois said.
In
order to keep books that have low circulation
in the library, they will be placed into
ORCA (Online Remote Collections Access).
ORCA, a four story building, will be located
on the southeast end of the library, in
between the multimedia building and the
learning assistance center.
When
a student requests a book from storage,
ORCA will locate the bin in which the book
belongs. After pulling the bin, it will
be placed on a conveyer belt and sent to
the librarian. A screen will show the librarian
exactly where to look in the bin. The book's
journey ends at the front desk, less than
five minutes after the request, according
to library officials.
"We
want to put a plasma screen in the Internet
CafÈ, so students can watch ORCA
retrieve their books," said Dubois.
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