When the second floor of Alden Library is opened in August, its new name will be The Alden Library Learning Commons. This will be the least of its changes.
About $1.5 million worth of changes will bring students new technological advancements, a new d+
information resources tutoring and other expert assistance and other kinds of services that will help people succeed in their studies she said.
Zimmerman said some of the changes students can expect are the addition of 100-plus workstations equipped with new software, a multimedia lab and the ability to lend out laptops for use in an entirely wireless library.
Extended hours for the learning commons also can be expected, Zimmerman said.
Without great customer service
a library is nothing but a book warehouse.
At least $140,000 will be allotted to hire new librarians, staff, student workers and specialized workers to create a 24-hour study area within the Learning Commons.
Zimmerman said the Commons will be open for 24 hours from Sunday through Thursday, with daytime-only weekend hours.
She also said the floor will have a more home-like
relaxed atmosphere
adding that the old second floor was outdated in terms of style.
Additional funding will help the library provide better access to the 60 to 70 databases the library subscribes to as well as the electronic journals that students and faculty can access from home.
The Writing Center will find a permanent home in the Commons and the free-to-students video library will be open for longer hours, said Zimmerman.
For the most part
I can remember only ever using the second floor for the snack area and for group studying
said sophomore telecommunication major Cory Smith. It is bland down there
kind of 'old school' if you will.
Smith said he preferred the 6th floor because it was a little quieter, but with the additions of 24-hour service and new programming software he would definitely be all for it.
Amy Ellifritz, a freshman English education major, also thinks that 24-hour service is a good idea.
When my printer breaks down
I need somewhere to go
she said.
You double your time
