As students returned from spring break last week, many were in for a surprise when they attempted to work in the South PODs located in the Engineering Building — the PODs were no longer there.

As of March 19, the South PODs have been permanently closed in order to allow more space for Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science students and faculty. In its place, the Information Commons has been opened in the Glenn G. Bartle Library.

The Information Commons combines the resources of both the PODs and the reference department. Along with containing revamped desks and computers, it offers printing, scanning and laptop loans, as well as additional space for group collaboration.

Many students found the new location to be quite handy.

“It’s convenient. The study lounge is upstairs. You can do research and you don’t have to walk over to the Engineering Building,” said Shi-Fang Ruan, a junior financial economics major.

So far, Library Services has been pleased with the results of the project and the positive feedback from students.

“People seem to like it very much,” said John Meador, director of University Library Services. “It offers more space for collaboration, there’s more privacy. It’s been positive so far.”

Some students cited a better and more comfortable working environment among the advantages of the changeover.

“I like the chairs, it’s definitely a more comfortable place to sit and work,” said senior English major Deuayne Crawford.

Jessica Mcshea, a senior finance major, agreed and added that the extra privacy is an improvement.

“The set-up makes it a little more private. I feel like I can get stuff done better,” she said. “I think they did a really good job.”

Though many students approved of the new addition, others were less impressed.

“I think it’s a little smaller,” Crawford said. “I definitely don’t think it’s better. I think we need more computers.”

The scarcity of available computers was noted by many students. While the former Engineering PODs held approximately 300 computers, there are only about 150 located in the Commons.

“I don’t think there’s enough computers.” said Jason Plass, a junior management major. “They should take away these desks and fit a lot more computers in here to be efficient.”

Since the Commons has only been open for a week, changes are currently being made to allow things to run more smoothly.

“We recognize that we need to add more chairs. We need to make adjustments. We’re trying to figure out what students need and respond,” Meador said. “There should be, hopefully, some new computers coming in because we have the space to hold them.”

Some students also found the new group-oriented layout troubling.

“The older setup is better,” said freshman Dan Daly. “When you walked by you could see if there were open computers. You didn’t have to look around as much as you do now.”

Other students are concerned with the loss of study space that the addition of the Commons has caused.

“Now that they have the commons it takes away from studying areas. The east study room will be more crowded and impossible to study in. I study there during finals,” said freshman economics and political science major Matt Calo.

Still, noting that the Information Commons is a work in progress, Meador remained optimistic.

“Our goal is to have a facility that is first-rate that combines the best of the PODs and the Reference Department,” he said. “The best of both worlds.”