Journalism library receives facelift

It's been a little more than one week since the opening of the newly renovated School of Journalism library, and its patrons have only positive feedback on the improvements.\nLibrarian Grace Jackson-Brown said the flow of students and faculty through the library has been slow, but responses have been positive. \n"It's kind of gotten a gradual awareness that the library is open. We've only been open a week, so gradually, people are discovering that we're open and coming in to use it." Jackson-Brown said. "Everyone seems to be pleased with the new layout of the library."\nStudents now have access to a quiet room in the back of the library for research or studying, while the front portion is set up for group work. New to the library are 11 computers, wireless Internet and ports for laptops to hook up to the University system. \nJunior journalism major Evayn Burns likes the new library amenities.\n"It feels a lot more open now," she said. "The new velvety seats are comfortable and soft. They make studying more comfortable."\nThe new and inviting décor, along with plenty of workspace, makes the library an ideal place for spending time between classes and studying for exams, Burns said.\n"It's a nice place for journalism students to go when you have three journalism classes in a day. We used to just have a little nook in the hallway with two computers and a table. Now, it's kind of nice to have a place to do work now before class and after class. I'll probably come here to study for finals because the main library's normally packed."\nSophomore Richie Madewell, who works in the library, said he plans to use the facilities despite being a biology major.\n"It's a lot different than the old library, but I really like everything. I like the quiet room so you can talk in the main part and go back there to do your homework or research. The group work areas have dry erase boards, and that's pretty neat when you're working with a group and you have to do a presentation."\nMadewell, comparing his experiences from working in the library last year to ones from the new library this year, said it is extremely different from the past, mainly because of the change in physical resources.\n"It's kind of odd there are a lot less books. It's only 10 percent of the books we used to have, but it's still a library."\nWith the popularity of electronic resources such as Academic Search Premiere or Communications and Mass Media Complete, a popular journalism collection, not as many books are needed in the stacks. While the majority of the books went to the Main Library or to the Auxiliary Library Facility, the most current and highly used journalism magazines and resources are still housed in the library.\nDespite a slight reduction in size and space, Jackson-Brown is satisfied the facility's upgrade.\n"I'm fairly pleased with it because a lot of the resources that were available here are available electronically online, so you can get to resources such as the academic search premiere. There are so many more resources available for students that it makes it a good place for them to work."\nAs for her outlook on the library, she sees only a positive future for students and their new workspace.\n"I think students are happy now that we're right here in Ernie Pyle Hall so they don't have to make the track over to the Main Library. It's really convenient when they get out of class they can come here, use the library and complete their assignments. It's just a nice place for students and faculty."\n-- Contact staff writer Julia Blanford at jblanfor@indiana.edu