 "Photo: Nathaniel LaRue")
Major renovations are underway at K-State’s Hale Library, transforming the scope of much of the building for the first time since its dedication in 1997.
The changes will include converting the two entrances to the library’s second floor into one, compressing six service points to two, creating more study space on the library’s second floor and gradually installing new carpeting around the building. Total costs of the renovations are estimated at about $200,000 and stem from a general library fund, said Roberta Johnson, director of financial services and facilities for Hale Library.
“People have had the question, ‘Why spend the money in this economic time?’” said Jane Schillie, associate dean of libraries. “This project has been planned for a couple of years.”
A year ago, the library put money in with facilities to begin the renovations in summer 2008. The events of June 11, 2008, changed all of that.
“When the tornado hit, all of facilities’ focus went to tornado repair,” Johnson said, “so they weren’t able to do it last summer. The state wouldn’t let us use it for anything else because you cannot cross fiscal years. So the decision was made to go ahead and do the project this summer when facilities was finally able to help us with resources.”
The renovations began the day after classes ended, she said. The new carpeting was finished by mid-July along with the physical moving of items. Work continues at the site of the new entrance as parts of the old entrances are converted into display cases. The project is about two weeks from completion, Johnson said.
The library’s new carpet is in squares to make it easy to replace, Johnson said. It is made from recycled materials and contains patterns from the entrance to the help desk and to the Information Technology Assistance Center.
During renovations, librarians saw a new opportunity to use the second floor space differently. Periodicals and reference sections were moved to the first and third floors and allowed seating space on the second floor was expanded. The goal was to provide more collaborative space, Schillie said. Increasing the number of power ports and including more tables for group work were part of the equation.
“We are trying to create an environment that works for the way students study,” Johnson said.
The decision to transform two entrances into one and to eliminate the help desk, which previously separated them, was one of efficiency.
“We made the decision we wanted to be better at providing service and have one place for them to go,” Schillie said.
Derek Hoff, assistant professor of history, said he likes what has been accomplished.
“It’s definitely good to consolidate the various help desks,” Hoff said. “I see fewer freshman walking around with the deer-in-the-headlights expression on their face.”
Librarians want to hear from students and faculty about how they use the library, Schillie said. She encourages e-mailing the library at library@k-state.edu with any input and ideas.
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