Submitted by evansa4 on May 12, 2008 - 11:21am
The biggest thing to remember when making changes to the library is that most students don't study effectively at home. With limited study options off-campus that are open after 6pm in Bellingham, many of us come to the library as our study sanctuary. By making the library a more inviting and accessible space, students may perform better for their exams. All of us have different ways that we prefer studying and preparing for school assignments. The library should accommodate to all the different students' needs. The library should be a place to study individually, meet other students and gather to talk about group projects or study together for exams, look up information for a paper or project, go on the computers, or relax during a break. The library should be looked at as an extended living room for students, minus the TV of course. :)
Here are some of my favorite ideas:
-Most importantly, more Group Study Rooms. This could alleviate the need for strict enforcement of quiet areas if there were more group rooms for people to talk and discuss. During the middle of the quarter when mid-terms are in abundance, it is extremely difficult to find a room to study in as a group. I like that you can reserve certain rooms, but if there were just more group room then you wouldn't have to bother. I've always dreamed that the NW areas of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors that have very uncomfortable couches, chairs and coffee tables would be replaced by a row of group study rooms. Hardly anyone sits on the couches. This would definitely be full if there were individual rooms.
-An area with later hours would be beneficial. Maybe just the Haggard side that's already open later. This would also provide more jobs that I'm sure some students would willingly take.
-A cafe in the library vicinity is necessary. There should be some sort of cafe that is open during the library hours. During the evenings I don't see the point of Miller's cafe open, except that it is the closest cafe to the library. Look how popular the Atrium's seating and study area has become. In hindsight, the seating should have been double, or even triple the size it is today. A cafe in the library with seating would encourage people to eat their food in the cafe and not bring it up into the library.
-More computers and laptop print stations throughout the library. It's frustrating that laptops only print to the station where the check-in/out desk is located.
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