3rd floor reno!!!!
We would like to let you know about some changes which will be occurring in the library over the course of the summer.....
The library is currently in the midst of a comprehensive planning process to insure that library space is utilized to the utmost benefit of the university’s students, faculty and staff. Our intention is to critically assess all three floors of our study, collection storage and work areas and to implement those changes which will contribute to our goal of providing a comfortable, effective, congenial and stimulating environment for the Saint Mary’s research community.
In all of our deliberations we have been guided by the many thoughtful ideas, comments and opinions conveyed to us by our users in the recent LibQual survey. Needless to say, the ever-evolving, technology-driven nature of contemporary scholarly research and communication has been a crucial consideration. And all of it has been framed by the principles and objectives outlined in the university’s Academic Plan.
The first stage of this revamping of library space is about to begin on the third floor. The decision to begin “at the top” was largely dictated by the obvious advantages of consolidating our print journal collection to make it more reflective of our current research focus, across the disciplines, and to provide a strong, considered complement to our outstanding collection of electronic journals. Working with our faculty liaisons, the library is now able to offer Saint Mary’s researchers access to a panorama of approximately 15,000 online journals, a collection which rivals that of larger Canadian universities.
The changes on the third floor will include:
1. Replacement of the original 30-year old carpeting with a new, visually appealing and environmentally-sensitive carpet tile, a product in wide use in universities and public spaces around the world (for more information visit www.interfaceflor.com)
2. Taking greater advantage of the natural light offered by the floor- to-ceiling glass on 2 sides by concentrating study spaces in those areas. The journal and book collections will be consolidated and shifted to the west (cinderblock) wall.
3. The book collection (call numbers PR-Z) will be separated from the journals, realigned in vertical rows and moved to the beginning of the room. Currently those books are tacked on to the end of the journals. They will now be more visible and easier to locate.
4. Integration of more comfortable seating, with the addition of armchairs, either in groupings or along the glass walls. This will allow the space to be more flexible, accommodating those who still use the traditional study carrel as well as those who prefer a more comfortable chair in which to spend an hour reading. And the current hard chairs at the carrels will be replaced by ones with an upholstered seat. The schedule for the introduction of the furniture upgrades will be dictated by budgetary considerations.
This is, of course, a large undertaking as it entails the removal of the existing furniture, shelving and journal and book collections so that the new floor can be laid. The third floor will, therefore, be closed effective Monday, June 25 and re-open in September. Please be assured that library staff have a plan in place for the retrieval of books and journals for those who need a particular item. But browsing of the open shelves will not, obviously, be possible during this time. Study space on the second floor will still be available and this will be enough for those students and faculty involved with summer term courses.
There are always some inconveniences associated with a job of this kind but we are confident that we can keep these to a minimum and that the university community will understand that these are necessary changes which will enhance the library environment for years to come.
The library is currently in the midst of a comprehensive planning process to insure that library space is utilized to the utmost benefit of the university’s students, faculty and staff. Our intention is to critically assess all three floors of our study, collection storage and work areas and to implement those changes which will contribute to our goal of providing a comfortable, effective, congenial and stimulating environment for the Saint Mary’s research community.
In all of our deliberations we have been guided by the many thoughtful ideas, comments and opinions conveyed to us by our users in the recent LibQual survey. Needless to say, the ever-evolving, technology-driven nature of contemporary scholarly research and communication has been a crucial consideration. And all of it has been framed by the principles and objectives outlined in the university’s Academic Plan.
The first stage of this revamping of library space is about to begin on the third floor. The decision to begin “at the top” was largely dictated by the obvious advantages of consolidating our print journal collection to make it more reflective of our current research focus, across the disciplines, and to provide a strong, considered complement to our outstanding collection of electronic journals. Working with our faculty liaisons, the library is now able to offer Saint Mary’s researchers access to a panorama of approximately 15,000 online journals, a collection which rivals that of larger Canadian universities.
The changes on the third floor will include:
1. Replacement of the original 30-year old carpeting with a new, visually appealing and environmentally-sensitive carpet tile, a product in wide use in universities and public spaces around the world (for more information visit www.interfaceflor.com)
2. Taking greater advantage of the natural light offered by the floor- to-ceiling glass on 2 sides by concentrating study spaces in those areas. The journal and book collections will be consolidated and shifted to the west (cinderblock) wall.
3. The book collection (call numbers PR-Z) will be separated from the journals, realigned in vertical rows and moved to the beginning of the room. Currently those books are tacked on to the end of the journals. They will now be more visible and easier to locate.
4. Integration of more comfortable seating, with the addition of armchairs, either in groupings or along the glass walls. This will allow the space to be more flexible, accommodating those who still use the traditional study carrel as well as those who prefer a more comfortable chair in which to spend an hour reading. And the current hard chairs at the carrels will be replaced by ones with an upholstered seat. The schedule for the introduction of the furniture upgrades will be dictated by budgetary considerations.
This is, of course, a large undertaking as it entails the removal of the existing furniture, shelving and journal and book collections so that the new floor can be laid. The third floor will, therefore, be closed effective Monday, June 25 and re-open in September. Please be assured that library staff have a plan in place for the retrieval of books and journals for those who need a particular item. But browsing of the open shelves will not, obviously, be possible during this time. Study space on the second floor will still be available and this will be enough for those students and faculty involved with summer term courses.
There are always some inconveniences associated with a job of this kind but we are confident that we can keep these to a minimum and that the university community will understand that these are necessary changes which will enhance the library environment for years to come.
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