The first floor of McIntyre Library will undergo some needed renovation this summer. Our campus mall entrance doors are being replaced. Constant exposure to winter weather and salt have corroded the doors so much that they weren’t closing properly. The new doors will be ready for our students in the fall. We are also giving the checkout area a new look and making big changes to how our computer stations are organized. Last year the UW System provided some temporary funding to System libraries. This means that McIntyre Library will receive some one-time budget relief in this time when all of our other budget news is bleak. Library staff met to discuss how we best take advantage of this opportunity. We looked at our user surveys and met with student groups as well. In the end we decided to create a more welcoming entrance and to update our learning commons area on our first floor. Christian Paese and the students from the Student Senate Information Technology Commission agreed. They committed matching funds to help us with this project. Christian helped us plan the layout of the space and buy furniture.
Staff from LTS and Facilities Management are preparing the area for the new furniture. Our current computer stations will be removed, carpets will be thoroughly shampooed and new furniture will be moved in over the next two months. The books and equipment checkout area will see some demolition and carpentry work. Please be patient with any dust and noise. All of our services will remain in place during these changes. We are all very excited to welcome our students back in the Fall with a new look.
