Faculty members, staff members, and students have joined in wide-ranging discussions over the past two years about the library, its mission, and the appropriate facilities to meet academic needs. The renovation plans address the critical needs and priorities that were identified in those discussions.
Plans for the improvement of Roy O. West Library include a complete renovation of the two lower levels, doubling the capacity of the Archives, improving the lighting throughout the building, and replacing the HVAC systems. Construction will be completed in phases over four years to avoid disruption of library services.
The renovation will also incorporate the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and the Competency Centers for writing, quantitative reasoning and speaking/listening (Q,W & S) into the lower level. With librarians, faculty and student technology support (FITS and START) close by, it provides a central location for learning and academic support resources.
Key issues addressed:
• reflect the library’s mission as an intellectual hub
• Reading Room
• more spaces for group study
• improved support for media viewing
• easier access to librarians
• more appropriate arrangement of collections
• better use of natural light throughout
• more effective lighting throughout
• replace failing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
• more logical arrangement of staff and services
• better accommodation of current technologies and usage patterns
