Megan Robinson
Co News Editor
Students studying in the library this semester might notice some new additions. The library recently invested in some new furniture to accommodate students’ with a need for a different kind of workspace.
The new additions include two new group stations, technology rooms, and movable furniture.
Students use new furniture
The group stations are both located on the first floor of the library. These new stations are designed to set up a group around a central point. They consist of a large circular desk separated by partitions into three pods, which each comfortably sit three people. One of these workstations come equipped with IMacs, and both have electrical outlets in the desk, to make it easy for students to plug in laptops.
The technology rooms located on the third floor are closed rooms that can be reserved and rented out, which are equipped with chalk boards and large IMacs. These rooms were created to give groups of students a place to work on a louder project that requires more privacy, such as a presentation or screening a movie.
Moveable furniture is yet another innovation in the library. Several chairs and desks on wheels are located on the first floor. These are ideal for students who want to create their own space to work together.
An alternative to the traditional wooden carols are located on the lower level. These are better suited to students that need quiet, individual study. They are L shaped and provide more space for the student to spread out their school work than the typical wooden carols.
These additions were chosen and designed by Jessame Ferguson, Director of Hoover Library. She worked together with a Creative Learning Spaces Group which consisted of the head of Information Technology, Ester Iglich, two student representatives from the Student Government Assembly, a representative from administration, and a representative from faculty. The group gathered to discuss different learning spaces used in libraries across the country to decide which types of furniture to experiment with purchasing.
Ferguson explained that the purchases were an experiment, and future purchases will depend on the students’ reactions to the new additions.
Ferguson said she is “interested to see what people’s reactions are.” She wants to see if the new furniture functions the way it needs to. She also wants to know “what appeals to students that helps them do their work better, and go in that direction.”
Ferguson is soliciting students’ reactions to the new furniture in two ways. The first is an open house being held on February 5 at 2:00. Ferguson is speaking at this event, and there will be self-tours to showcase the new additions. There will be comment cards available at this event to gather comments from students.
Another way students can provide reactions is at the library’s blog: http://hooverlib.wordpress.com/information-commons/. Ferguson can also be reached directly for comments at jferguson@mcdaniel.edu.
