Photo by Eduardo Merille courtesy of Creative Commons.
Alexandra Mosquera Netzkarsch/Staff Writer
The Glenn Hubert Library at Biscayne Bay Campus is undergoing renovations on its second floor with an updated layout that will include new computers, services and a fresh environment with bright colors and fresh lighting – changes for students by students.
Construction will begin in February or March; renovations to the library will be paid for technology fees financed both by students and 5 percent of tuition costs per credit hour. The library also received a million dollar reward for the renovation project which is set for completion in August 2014.
However, students have a larger role in the renovations than just their fees. Bryan Cooper, associate dean of Technical and Digital Services at the library, said the renovations will be based on student input with a trial-run of furniture in January before they finalize plans and begin construction.
Cooper has collaborated over the last three years with the Student Government Association, staff members and students, such as interior design majors, to start this renovation project.
“[We want to] have a useful and fun environment on one of the floors of the library to make studying more enjoyable and easier,” Cooper said. “All the students that have been part of this process had the chance to be part of the creation of their ideal library.”
Cooper is still open to suggestions.
“It would be great for students to be involved in the process,” Cooper said. “I would be happy to meet with students to discuss their opinions regarding the renovations.”
Cooper said the layout of the second floor will have different sections aimed to simplify students’ lives.
There will be six columns on the floor, and two of them will be used as book shelves organized for students to pick texts based on their studies, from English writing books to popular literature.
“The library wants to offer a combination of old and new books in the display area,” Cooper said.
Around one of the columns, which will be close to the center desk, there will be eight or more seats facing inside for students to read comfortably and undisturbed.
Six tables with computers will also be available for students to work on their homework – five PC computer tables and one Apple computer table.
The Apple computers will be equipped with Adobe Photoshop and different multimedia editing software. At the end of the computer tables there will be a counter table with at least four seats for students to study in a group.
“The second floor will be an area of quiet interaction. Students will be using library voices,” Cooper said.
The center desk will provide five different services for students.
There will be a technician in charge of helping Panthers with technical difficulties, there will also be a person in charge of setting up appointments for the Center for Excellence in Writing, a representative of Student Services, a library staff member and a representative of the University Technology Services.
The Center for Excellence in Writing will have two tables and two tutoring rooms for a more quiet and private environment to help students with any questions regarding their homework.
The person in the center desk will provide students with appointments to talk to tutors at one of those tables and tutoring rooms.
A multimedia section will also be available to students with two flat screens over two peninsula tables with the opportunity to seat five or more students around them, inspired by The Hub located at Modesto A. Maidique Campus’ Green Library.
Behind the multimedia section there will be offices for administration. Next to those offices, students will have available one color printer, three black and white printers and an FIU OneCard machine.
The laptop bar that will be between the six computer tables and the multimedia section will have a counter table and matching high chairs for students to plug in their laptops.
“Part of the renovation is to make the laptop bar attractive for students” Cooper said.
According to Cooper, the renovation will also address issues of lighting in the library. Cooper said that the library will be better lit with LED spot lighting throughout the second floor.
“The second floor will be a very clean, colorful and open space,” Cooper said.
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