“We’re trying to pull a lot of campus resources together to make this a one-stop operation to help our students be successful.”

The Golda Meier Library will soon undergo a $6 million renovation, which will construct a cutting-edge student resource center that is student friendly and encourages group study and research.

Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc. designed the plan that will roughly double the amount of space available for student use, and greatly expand and centralize access to vital educational resources. Library Director Ewa Barczyk, and Library Facilities Manager Kim Silbersack are calling the new facility a “Learning Commons.”

“I don’t think there will be another library quite like this,” said Silbersack, “This is the first library to have a learning commons incorporated into the library; we’re ahead of the game here.”

Silbersack said libraries at University of Wisconsin-Madison do not even have a commons area quite like this.

Students will have access to academic help, technical support and group study areas, all in one location. Students will also be able to grab a latte when the coffee shop relocates to the commons.

“We’re trying to pull a lot of campus resources together to make this a one-stop operation to help our students be successful,” said Barczyk.

The new design encourages students to gather in brand new spaces designated for group study. Numerous group study rooms with tables and writing boards will be added around the entire perimeter of the wing.

“We anticipate these group rooms will be used heavily,” said Silbersack.

The plan will increase available seating from 172 seats to over 400 seats.

Teardrop-shaped booths with computers will allow groups of students to work together easily on one monitor.

A variety of new workspaces will cater specifically to students with laptops. The new work surfaces will feature plug-ins for power, and expanded space to spread books on.

The number of computer workstations will expand from 50 computers to about 160. Some computers will run strictly email, while others will run more complicated programs.

Barczyk said the new project, “is all about the students, we’re really focusing on student needs.”

To make room for these new amenities, the wall by the administration offices will be knocked down. Also, almost 100,000 books will be re-shelved, or moved to a site just one mile from campus.

Barczyk said these books would remain accessible by students, despite the relocation.

Construction in the library would be phased in, so students will still have access to the west wing first floor throughout the semester.

Barczyk and Silbersack said the new plan makes it possible to extend the hours of the library. The new design will allow library staff to shut down other parts of the library, while keeping the renovated wing open.

Budget cuts and restrictions are largely to blame for the library closing earlier than desired, according to Barczyk.

A new library Web site is in the making, and should be launched sometime this week. The site will contain more information on the project, along with 3-D slide shows of the plans. Barczyk and Silbersack invite other students to attend one of two forums that will take place in the next few weeks.

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