Ben Hoyer | Guest Writer
By Saturday, Sept. 22, all the summer renovations in Buswell Memorial Library are expected to be finished. These projects started last year with the relocation of the reference collection out of the commons and the moving of a majority of the journals to an online database to create space for the reference collection.
This relocation allowed space for four new flat-screen TVs, which are available for student use.
“We’re hoping to make a couple new technological changes as well, to allow students to have the resources available to collaborate on group projects,” said professor of library sciences Nancy Falciani-White.
Located in the library study rooms, the TVs are equipped with ports for up to four computers to link with programs for tasks such as creating a PowerPoint or writing a group paper. Senior Zachary Stallard, a student staff member at Buswell, said that the study rooms “are a great new space and will continue to develop.”
The library has also installed a new Smart Board for student use. Falciani-White said: “Our primary target is the education of students. ... They often need to use a Smart Board for their student teaching ... (It would be) available on the weekends and on Friday nights when students usually do their work, not just from eight to five. This will hopefully provide a good resource for students as well.”
The library’s staff organization will also change. This year, Buswell is moving away from a traditional library setup by creating three separate office divisions.
“The final huge thing we hope the students will gain from the renovations, hence the new offices and glass windows, is an increased accessibility of the librarians. Students who have research questions and need help with projects can find that very easily,” said Falciani-White.
“These renovations are primarily purposed to foster a helpful work space for groups of students as well as individuals,” said second- year graduate student Josh Little, a library student staff member.
There will also be librarians on duty during the library’s hours to provide answers and assistance for students when needed. For those in Buswell doing research, looking for an article or working on a group project, the library has new tools that may help.
Photo credit Brooke Greene. Banner Image courtesy of Bill Kraulter.
Printed in the September 21, 2012, issue of The Wheaton Record. Send comments to the.record@my.wheaton.edu.