Ohio University Vernon R. Alden Library’s potential renovations underwent a master planning project completed in July. University Libraries used the opportunity to evaluate its long-term needs and consider construction options for Alden before looking for funding for the potential renovations.
Alicia Sweeney, director of space planning, said it is a remodel encompassing “eight floors, eight experiences,” including seven existing floors of the library and a new rooftop lounge.
“The library as it is now, was built as a book depository,” Sweeney said. “The new way that universities are looking at libraries and what we want to shift the focus to is the user experience, the student experience in the library.”
Despite having a concept for renovations, the university does not have the funding to begin construction. However, Sweeney said the master plan could bring in such funding.
“There’s nothing scheduled at the moment because there isn’t a funding source allocated for the project,” Sweeney said. “We are still in the phase of taking the plan to leadership to advocate for funding, and then also to potential donors. That's sort of like a big part of why you do the master plan is then you have visuals and then an interesting story to bring to external funding sources.”
Samantha Pelham, the media relations manager for OU’s Communications and Marketing department, shared a similar sentiment. Pelham wrote in an email that the university conducted the master planning project to provide a broad model for what future remodeling opportunities could look like, should funding become available.
“Moving forward, the university will consider the opportunities and themes that were identified as part of broader long-term capital planning across the university,” Pelham wrote. “Any future renovation or construction project would need to be separately evaluated, funded and formally approved before moving forward.”
Though the planning was hypothetical, Sweeney priced out three versions of the master renovation plan: a minimal expansion for $198 million, a two-story expansion for $208 million and a four-story expansion for $245 million.
The advancement team is now attempting to contact donors interested in Alden’s renovation. The library is also attempting to use some central funding from the university.
“It’s hard because the library isn’t like a college, where you have specific graduates that you can reach out to and say, ‘You graduated from our program, and you may be interested in X thing and donating for it,’” Sweeney said.
The master plan does not yet account for how construction will be approached or how long it will take, according to Sweeney. However, the advancement team did consider how students interact with the space to create the plan.
Aubrey Murphy, a junior studying chemical engineering and an office assistant for the CoLab, said she enjoys the quiet, peaceful atmosphere in Alden.
“I think it's just a really nice environment,” Murphy said. “Depending on what floor you're on, you're getting like a different experience.”.
Alternatively, Alex Brooker, a freshman studying strategic management and leadership, studies at Alden Library regularly and recommended changes to the quiet floors.
“I guess since I do like the kind of windowed thing on the seventh floor, so if they just like more windows on the seventh and sixth floors, that would be great,” Brooker said.
Olivia Paugstat, a senior studying linguistics and a student service desk employee, started working at Alden three years ago. Paugstat said she thinks renovations at the library could benefit students.
“For the eighth floor, it could benefit students if they’re adding more study spaces or meeting rooms," Paugstat said. "It could help us expand or separate more of our quiet and louder areas.”
As an OU alumna who experienced renovations to Alden’s fourth floor in 2017, Sweeney said she is hopeful about the potential new changes.
“Our library lasts a really long time and it's a building that touches every student,” Sweeney said. “It really is something that we should be caring and intentional with in both the programming and also making sure that we are keeping up with the modern interest of students every year but also being mindful of the place and the character of our campus.”
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