This is legitimately the best picture of the library I could find on Google

Today, the refreshingly efficient Junior Class President, Matt Walsh, sent an email informing students of the School’s decision to renovate the library. Justifiably, Walsh and SGA seem a little upset that this is the first the student body has been informed of arguably the biggest administrative construction initiative since Zankel:

My response to that was – “this is happening now?” and “why didn’t I know about this?”  Many students I have since spoke to were also unaware of this coming to fruition.

In any event, here’s the tentative plan the IT/library heads put forward at last night’s Senate meeting:

• 250+ more seats
• 10+ more study rooms (some with flat screen TVs)
• A system to reserve study rooms (no definite plans yet)
• Lots more group tables
• More computer stations
• More individual study rooms
• Better access to power outlets
• Media viewing room (think small scale movie theater)
• A courtyard outside the library (you can see construction now)
• Moving GIS lab to library and expanding
• Moving Media Services to library
• Nearly doubling the amount of Media Services space
• Expansion of Writing Center
• Lots and lots of technology
• Hopefully done by the end of THIS summer
• Construction is from 7am to 3pm daily

Most of these ideas are great, with more seats, computers, and a study room reservation system standing out among them. Regardless, the fact remains that construction has already begun and we’re only hearing about it now. Also, it would be nice to know how much this is all going to cost, and what the noise and dust will be like in the coming months.

To be honest, the way the Administration’s gone about this seems a little heavy-handed, but I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt if they actually follow through on their promise of “lots and lots of technology.” Not really sure what to make of that, but everybody loves technology, right? Maybe they’re getting one of those amazing touchscreens from Minority Report! Perhaps an underground particle accelerator lies in our library’s bright future! Your guess is as good as mine, but the possibilities are endless.