2008 Woodie Awards
Previous renovations problematic for library
By Selina O. Affram
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: News
Originally published: 2/28/08 at 2:03 PM CSTLast update: 2/28/08 at 5:40 PM CST
The renovation in Moody Learning Center is not beneficial to the library.
The entrance in the east wing from parking lot 16 creates commotion in the lobby of the library.
Librarian Karen Balcom shared her insights about the renovations.
"Things that benefit one may not benefit others, but it's important to make changes workable for everybody," Balcom said.
She said the library has made transitions over the years.
Before it was moved to Moody Learning Center in 1968, the library was on the second floor of McCreless Hall.
The library was cramped into a small space, Balcom said.
Over Christmas break, it was moved to the basement level and second floor of Moody.
Moody consists of seven floors and on each level classes are taught.
Occupancy hit the maximum rate and caused a slow commute with only one entrance for students to enter and exit.
Renovations in 1997 were expected to remedy the problem.
The renovations also were in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The building became more accessible to those with special needs with the installation of two elevators.
The east door was created to provide two entrances and exits for the students on campus.
Although this renovation was beneficial for the students, not everyone shared the same feelings, Balcom said.
Alice Johnson, dean of student learning, said the renovations in the library were decorative and not major. The construction of the east door in Moody caused the library to lose space. The storage area of government documents on the basement level was lost and given to the counseling center. The student development area was used for reading rooms.
On the third floor, the Presidential Room was used as a meeting and testing area, which is now occupied by the Protective Services Department.
The library gained two classrooms, an automation office, server room and a network office. At this time, it was recommended for the library to move to the upper area of the building and switch the current arrangement, in which classes would be taught on the lower floors.
The librarians felt the library would disappear and lose the attraction of the students.
Balcom said it created more noise and traffic in the area.
During the winter, it brought in the cold and in the summer, the heat; it also trailed in dust from the parking lot. Johnson said, "There haven't been major renovations, but it would be nice to have our own building."
Johnson said, in the end, the big picture is what is best for the campus and the future renovations of the library, depending on other changes for the campus.
She said the library has evolved with technical changes, but librarians will always be needed because someone needs to teach others how to use the library.
The entrance in the east wing from parking lot 16 creates commotion in the lobby of the library.
Librarian Karen Balcom shared her insights about the renovations.
"Things that benefit one may not benefit others, but it's important to make changes workable for everybody," Balcom said.
She said the library has made transitions over the years.
Before it was moved to Moody Learning Center in 1968, the library was on the second floor of McCreless Hall.
The library was cramped into a small space, Balcom said.
Over Christmas break, it was moved to the basement level and second floor of Moody.
Moody consists of seven floors and on each level classes are taught.
Occupancy hit the maximum rate and caused a slow commute with only one entrance for students to enter and exit.
Renovations in 1997 were expected to remedy the problem.
The renovations also were in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The building became more accessible to those with special needs with the installation of two elevators.
The east door was created to provide two entrances and exits for the students on campus.
Although this renovation was beneficial for the students, not everyone shared the same feelings, Balcom said.
Alice Johnson, dean of student learning, said the renovations in the library were decorative and not major. The construction of the east door in Moody caused the library to lose space. The storage area of government documents on the basement level was lost and given to the counseling center. The student development area was used for reading rooms.
On the third floor, the Presidential Room was used as a meeting and testing area, which is now occupied by the Protective Services Department.
The library gained two classrooms, an automation office, server room and a network office. At this time, it was recommended for the library to move to the upper area of the building and switch the current arrangement, in which classes would be taught on the lower floors.
The librarians felt the library would disappear and lose the attraction of the students.
Balcom said it created more noise and traffic in the area.
During the winter, it brought in the cold and in the summer, the heat; it also trailed in dust from the parking lot. Johnson said, "There haven't been major renovations, but it would be nice to have our own building."
Johnson said, in the end, the big picture is what is best for the campus and the future renovations of the library, depending on other changes for the campus.
She said the library has evolved with technical changes, but librarians will always be needed because someone needs to teach others how to use the library.
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