In response to constant crowding in the Glenn G. Bartle Library’s new Information Commons, project coordinators are speeding up the process of expanding the new area, adding more computers to accommodate increased demand as finals week approaches.
“We’re looking into bringing in more computers to fill in the existing alcoves for the rest of the term,” said John Meador, director of University library services.
Vice President for Administration James VanVoorst took action after students present at last week’s town-hall style open forum with administrators — where he was a panelist — expressed concerns that the limited number of computers made working at the Commons problematic.
“At the meeting, a comment was made on the number of machines that were there. We were asked if it was possible, through the end of the semester, to add more machines. That’s exactly what we’re putting together,” he said. “We will be adding 18 new computers by the end of the week.”
In addition to computers being brought in, library staffers are working to develop a system that will allow students to find vacant computer terminals with ease.
“We’re working on software to let students know where available computers are so that they don’t have to walk around,” Meador said
Difficulty finding available computers has been a common complaint among students since the Information Commons opened in March.
“You can never find a computer. I don’t like the setup,” said Jillian Lepski, a sophomore nursing major. “It’s hard to see if computers are available. Adding more would help.”
Juan Hernandez, a sophomore economics and accounting major, agreed with Lepski.
“I think what they’ve done so far is good. I just don’t like the setup,” Hernandez said. “It’s like a maze. You have to go around many times just to find a computer.”
Plans have also been made to further expand the Commons at a later date.
“When it happens will depend on the availability of funding,” Meador said. “Phase two would be to finish up the rest of the reference room and fill it up with similar furniture and computers.”
VanVoorst said the administration has been making efforts to respond to complaints made by students regarding the deficiencies of the Commons, but that students need to be patient.
“We’re trying, but these things take time,” VanVoorst said. “We did hear you at the meeting and are trying to respond.”
Meador stated that he thinks that part of the reason students may be dissatisfied with the Commons is because it was never made clear to the students that the center was a work in progress.
“I think maybe our biggest mistake was not letting the students know that the project was incomplete,” he said. “It’s going to grow and expand.”
He added that the mid-semester opening of the Commons may not have helped the situation.
“It might have been wise to wait until the summer to start work on it,” he said. “We didn’t have that luxury. We had to get out of the Engineering Building.”
Complaints aside, Meador believes the Information Commons to have been a successful venture so far.
“The students really do seem to be pleased with it and want more of it,” he said. “We’re going to listen to student feedback and responses and try to respond with the Commons based on that.”
“It will be much nicer by the time fall semester starts,” he said.