November 3, 2005

Campus facilities show new styles, colors this fall

Library enhances Info Commons, circulation area

By Wendy Leopold

If you haven’t seen them already, be sure to check out the renovations and improvements that were made this summer on the first floor of University Library.

Last fall, University Library and Academic Technologies converted space just inside University Library’s Lantern entrance to create the Information Commons. The space — with more than 50 computer workstations — is designed to encourage student and faculty interaction and discussion. It offers considerable flexibility for both individual and collaborative work, and is staffed by professionals who can help users with digital materials and computer applications.

This summer, the Commons was further enhanced to make it even more conducive to group work. A project or group collaboration room was created in the northeast corner diagonally across from the service desk. Using state-of-the-art technology specially designed to help students work together on course projects and presentations, the room includes two wall-mounted boards that can ‘capture’ written and projected images in digital form and save the content to electronic files.

One of the boards uses camera technology to digitize written work from a regular white board; the other digitizes both written work and images. Seating is flexible and comfortable, arranged around a low table housing power, data and video connections for laptops. Additional laptop connections are located around the room’s perimeter.

David Bishop, Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian, refers to the Commons as a ‘one-stop-shopping’ area where students can learn to locate and manipulate information. “It offers a centrally located, user-centered and technologically rich environment for individual and collaborative work,” adds Laurel Minott, assistant University librarian for public services.

Summer improvements also are evident in the Circulation Department, where two service windows have been consolidated into one and where newly installed computers immediately to the right of the service window permit self-check out of materials.

A new book alcove with a fiction corner and book displays of University Press titles and faculty publications has been created at the east end of the corridor across from the escalator. Interlibrary Loan contains a new book drop and a larger service window.

Other first floor renovations include new lighting, carpeting, and architectural elements such as wood paneling and slate tiles serving as visual cues to help library visitors find materials. Wooden entrances, or  “portals,” designate Reference, Periodicals and Newspapers, the stairs to lower-level collections and IT Academic Technologies services; and the north approach to Deering Library.

Pick-Staiger freshens interior, upgrades layout

By Judy Moore

Pick-Staiger Concert Hall patrons are in for a visual treat this fall.

The 32-year-old orange deep shag carpeting and orange seat upholstery have been replaced by contemporary brick red and cream twist plush carpeting and color-coordinated seating.

These and other upgrades were recently made to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and add to the safety and comfort of all patrons.

The weave of the durable new carpeting is flatter to allow wheelchairs to maneuver more easily. The hall’s original 1970s era seats have new springs and foam padding and have been re-upholstered in a flecked brick red fabric that complements the new carpeting.

Some of the original seats were removed in order to double the space for wheelchair seating on both sides of the hall. New stainless steel hand railings have been installed around both expanded wheelchair areas for patron safety, and more railings have been installed along the north and south walls of the lower area of the concert hall and the adjacent lobby to assist disabled patrons.

“Doorways to the men’s and women’s bathrooms, as well as the bathroom stalls, have been reconfigured to allow easier access for the disabled,” said Richard Van Kleeck, director of concert activities for Pick-Staiger. “Both the ticket desk in the front lobby and the ticket office at the rear of Pick-Staiger now have a lowered section to better accommodate wheelchair patrons.”

The new ADA compliant restrooms have lower water fountains, sinks and toilets, and new bathroom and stall doors and wall-mounted grab rails.

Other improvements include new and improved lighting in the rehearsal room to lessen eyestrain; a new roof above the rehearsal area; and state-of-the-art fire detection technology throughout the building.

“The new white lighting in the rehearsal room can be dimmed making it more conducive for musicians to read music notations during rehearsals,” said Andrew McGonigle, design and construction project manager. “The rehearsal room’s old lighting had reached its life expectancy and was making rehearsals difficult. As they aged, the lights turned orange.”

New door handles throughout the Pick-Staiger building are handicapped accessible.

The improvements included carpeting in the offices on the east side of the building to provide an improved environment for Pick-Staiger staff members.