Library begins project

Following finals week, the lower undergraduate side of the Main Library will be closed as construction begins on a $1.5 million renovation that will add the Information Commons, a 27,000 sq. foot "hub of high technology."\nThe new area, which was recently approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the State Budget Agency, will feature state of the art multimedia computers, a staff of technology experts to facilitate students with the new equipment, wireless Internet connection and over 250 individual and group work stations. \nThe project, which has been in the planning process for years, is a joint effort between the University Information Technology Services and IU Libraries. Brad Wheeler, associate dean of teaching and learning information technology, said lack of funding for the project has set its progress back considerably. \n"Usually (Vice President Terry) Clapacs, the UITS and the library would each pitch in a third," Wheeler said. "But, due to budget cuts, all the renovation money is gone. So, we had to save for a long time in order to finance this project."\nThe construction, which is part of a $72 million renovation of the Main Library, will be completed before classes begin next fall. \nIn the meantime, students may be inconvenienced by the ground floor section of the undergraduate side closing, but Suzanne Thorin, dean of University Libraries, said that all of the resources will be moved to other parts of the library. \n"Most things will be moved to the 4th floor," Thorin said. "We won't lose anything during construction, just moved around."\nLibrary space may not be the only inconvenience to students as a result of the Information Commons' construction. Thorin said parking may also be a concern.\n"The first row of spaces will be part of the construction zone enclosed by a fence," Thorin said. "Some 'A' spaces may be lost, but it will only be for a while, so I don't think it will be a major problem."\nNew technology will be a highlight of the section, Wheeler said. In addition to the new software and computers, multimedia equipment such as digital cameras for both videos and photographs will also be available for check-out. \nTo educate students about the new technology, the Information Commons will employ experts from UITS to assist students with any difficulties, said Sue Workman, director of the Teaching and Learning Information Technology Division of UITS. Workman said no new UITS workers will be hired, but they will respond to the increase in students in the library by reallocating existing employees. \nOne of the other attractions of the Information Commons is that it will be open 24 hours a day with experts on hand at all times, Thorin said. \n"Students have different hours than they had when I went to school," Thorin said. "They are staying up later, sometimes all night, to get work done and the library will be there to assist them."\nThorin said she expects the hours to be successful, given similar projects at other universities. The success of the library hours being extended to 2 a.m. shows that students have a demand for such a schedule, Thorin said.\nNew technology also means the Information Commons will be able to assist those with disabilities.\n"We also have printers that can print braille, and we even have this computer program that helps those with dyslexia complete their assignments," Thorin said. \nWith more couches and even a coffee bar serving cappuccino, the facilities will make comfort one of its main priorities, Thorin said.\n"We will turn all of the group areas into soft seating scattered around the Commons," Thorin said. "The next step will be to turn the main entrance area with all the tables into a comfortable area more conducive to studying in groups."\nIn order to give more room to classes studying in the Commons, the library has built additional private space for reserve. \n"We will also offer classrooms to encourage classes to work in the library or for students to study in when it's not being used," Workman said. \nWheeler said he knows the construction will be a problem for some and "for seniors, it isn't such a good deal," since they will graduate before its completion. Still, Wheeler said he expects the new facility will not go unused.\n"I expect it will be a very busy place where a lot students will go to work," Wheeler said.\nTo find out more information on the Information Commons, log on to ic.indiana.edu.