As mentioned in my earlier post, I am doing a short study on a new patron-centered library space for my Library Resources in Science and Technology (STEM) course at the University of North Texas. This weblog format is required to help the librarians in training become comfortable with blogs, a useful form of communication!

Here are some things I learned about the new Study Cafe' at Virginia Tech's Newman Library in Blacksburg, Virginia. Newman Library is Virginia Tech's main campus library and includes a wealth of information, including STEM resources. (Virginia Tech is well known for their excellent technology and engineering programs, among others.)

The construction of the Study Cafe' space is documented on the University Library's informative and well-made construction log found at: http://www.lib.vt.edu/about/studycafe.html. I learned this blog is maintained by Instruction and Outreach Librarian, Jennifer Nardine (Herron, 2010). The blog contains quick facts and eye catching photographs from many stages of the construction process. It would be a good example blog for other libraries wanting to promote similar library space projects.

Dennis Herron, Facilities Manager at Virginia Tech's University Librarys was very helpful in answering questions I e-mailed to him in order to learn more about the new patron space project. I already learned a great deal about the new construction through the construction blog, an online announcement by the VT Libraries, a post on the Campaign for Virginia Tech's official blog, and a story in VT's student operated newspaper, The Collegiate Times.

Construction of the Study Cafe' began in 2009. The new study space was built on the first floor in an area that once housed the Special Collection's entrance and according to the the Campaign for Virginia Tech Blog, a reference desk (Cope, 2010).

Having visited the area before construction began, I remember it as a large open area. The Newman Library was one of the largest libraries I had been in and at that time, I found it a bit intimidating. The librarians and staff were certainly welcoming and friendly but the large space itself made me feel lost. Other areas of Newman Library meanwhile, had undergone recent renovations and were impressive but welcoming spaces.

I've seen the Study Cafe' recently through its large glass doors and it looks very inviting. It looks like a contemporary place to relax and grab a snack or drink. It reminds me very much of a coffee house environment. The large open windows visible on the Study Cafe Construction Blog (2010) are impressive but cut back a bit on privacy. Everyone walking across campus can see those inside! I don't know though, there may be plans for blinds or shades before the space opens. That was something about which I should have asked.

According to Mr. Herron in our e-mail interview (August 2010) elements of the space match those of Special Collections and the library considered other library's study cafes as models.

I'd like to share this great quote from Mr. Herron on the evolving nature of the academic library and the need for patron-centered spaces:

As methods of teaching and learning evolve, so must the library evolve to
have services available that modern students and faculty use. From what I
hear from students these days, it is entirely possible to earn your
undergraduate degree without ever having stepped foot in your campus
library. So much is available online now, and that has impacted our
traffic into the library. (Herron, 2010)

He noted that the Student Government Association communicated the need
for such a user-friendly study space and especially a study space that makes
available food and drinks. [Not a direct quote but couldn't get the quote format to close!]

Mr. Herron identified that benefits of the Study Cafe' project involve a chance to market the library, communicate the library's needs to administration, and show off collections. Other benefits are encouraging more students to use the library and modernizing library space.

Possible drawbacks Mr. Herron identified include the placement of the area near the Special Collections department, possibly causing a risk to collections materials and I might guess, altering the reading environment in Special Collections if noise is carried over. Actually, he identified the access of food and drink in the library, any part of the library, as a concern for some.

Another challenge was coordinating communication between the many different entities involved in the space's construction.

Although demolition in a library never really seems like a good thing, we
benefited from a contractor who was very sensitive to our requests, and the
lines of communication were very good to the point where we were able to
alleviate some concerns from our faculty and staff during the demo and build up
phases. (Herron, 2010).

Mr. Herron mentioned the need to market a new space such as the Study Cafe' to the university community as a part of the building process.

The project was financed largely through donations- especially a donation from "Tom and Ann Clark of Las Cruces, N.M., parents of Erin Clark Henry (biochemistry ‘01) and Lisa Ann Clark (communication ‘04)" (Cope, 2010).

Newman Library is a space with excellent resources and knowledgeable friendly adminstrators, librarians, and staff. I hope the new study space will meet with great student acceptance and create more interest in the library as a comfortable patron-centered learning environment.



Sources used:

Cope, G. J. (2010, April 5). The Campaign for Virginia Tech: Keeping Up with the Campaign. Retrieved August 6, 2010, from http://campaignforvt.tumblr.com/post/498077906/newman-library-cafe

Crawford, S. (2010, February 19). Cafe in Final Stages of Construction. Collegiate Times. Retrieved August 6, 2010, from http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/15080/cafe-in-final-stages-of-construction

Herron, D. Stephanie Gardner's Interview with Newman Library Building Manager, Dennis Harris. [Conducted by electronic mail]. August 6, 2010.

University Libraries at Virginia Tech. (2009, July 24). Construction of Newman Library Study Cafe Has Begun. Retrieved August 6, 2010, from http://news.lib.vt.edu/libnews/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=720.

Virginia Tech University Libraries. (2010). Study Cafe' Construction Blog. Retrieved August 6, 2010, from http://www.lib.vt.edu/about/studycafe.html