Survey Says! and Space Oddity

The Library staff met with our friendly architects again this week. The Steering Committee meeting was postponed until after the Fall Break. We talked about the student survey results which showed that students are very happy with the different noise level options on each floor of our current library. Students also have concerns about heating and cooling. Vending machines and more comfortable seating (and seating more appropriate for laptop use) also showed high interest from the survey takers. This survey, and past surveys, have shown generally positive impressions of the library from students. What we are missing is the input from those who don't use the library. "Why don't they use it?" and "What could it offer to make it useful to them?" are questions we need to try to address.

A fair amount of time was spent discussing space needs for library services and collections. The architects drew a rough two-story version of floor plans showing how things could be grouped together. A serious challenge for the project is the hot building market still in effect in Utah. Annual double-digit inflation on building costs is still the norm. Meaning what we could do this year (in terms of square-feet) with the construction budget will likely be decreased by at least 10% next year. So we're already being challenged to look at things we want that could be reduced or eliminated from the new building. Our assignment for next week's meeting is to go through the "program space summary" sheets and prioritize what we can't live without, what we really, really want, and what we can give up if we have to. More to come . . . .

It's Quiet in Here . . . Too Quiet!

Well, just to put up a little information, the library staff has been meeting with our architects for the new library nearly once a week. We've been talking about what needs to be in the new building and trying to get ballpark ideas on the space needs.

Several library staff members took a field trip to Utah State last week for an in-depth tour of their new library. It was a valuable experience and the USU staff gave us lots of good food for thought.

The "Steering Committe" for the project (with represention from the college and community) will meet next week.