Laptop Bar

We have a laptop bar on the third floor mezzanine. Sit down, plug in, watch the world go by.

New Lounge Chairs

There are new chairs and ottomans in the lounge. (past the elevators on the first floor). These new chairs are environmentally friendly Transformation chairs with green guard fabric.

Group Computing and Group Meeting spaces on First floor

The first floor Research Commons is full of activity these days as students work and meet in the research commons. The newest additions to the space are the specialty made collaborative computer stations and the group meeting tables. Both of these tables were made from old carrels and shelving end panels. The new chairs can be rolled wherever they are needed in the space. The group meeting tables have wheels so tables can be moved to allow for groups of 2-6. At each column in the group meeting space there are power poles to allow students to hook up and power their mobile device or laptop. There are still some more additions to come. To help define the area there is signage, dry erase boards and privacy dividers. We are also waiting on the computers, Team Spot hardware, and the new chairs for the lounge. But students seem to like the changes so far!

Meeting Place 2 furniture arrives

The bungee tables and chairs for Meeting Place 2 (room 248) have arrived. These tables can be moved to create many configurations or folded up and out of the way.

The chairs can also be folded and stacked. A large monitor with HDMI hook up and a laptop allow for media presentations. This space will be available for student groups, faculty and campus groups to use for meetings, presentations and events. Movable dry erase walls create a sense of privacy and some noise reduction. It is NOT a classroom space. Keep watching the website for information on reserving this space.

Team Spot Seating has arrived

The Research Commons now has new seating between the banquettes. The seating on the east side of the building will face a large dry erase board and the seating on the wast side of the building will be a Team Spot location.

New lights for the Research Commons

There are now new lights and power poles for the first floor Research Commons. When finished movable tables and chairs will be centered around the columns. The poles will allow students to plug in without stretching cords across the floor, creating dangerous situations.

New Group Spaces on 4th floor

With the addition of movable walls on the fourth floor, four new group study spaces are now open. The walls are on locking casters and double as dry erase boards. Students are using them already. Check them out on your next trip to the printing press or library administration. (at the top of the stairs turn left, they are in the glassed in area)

The Banquettes have arrived

There are now four banquettes for group seating in the Research Commons! Groups of up to four can work in these new seating areas. Priority goes to group seating, so if you are sitting solo and a group needs the space, please be prepared to move. (Comfy seating for solo study is on the way). White boards and more group furniture will be added in the coming months.

The Copy Center is Open

Construction in the Copy Center is finished and the Copy Center is now open. You will find the Copy Center on the first floor, just past the elevators on the left. There are two change machines, six copiers and a student announcement bulletin board. We will let you know when the vending machines arrive.

Signs of Progress

As you walk through the library in the coming weeks you will see signs throughout the library detailing the new spaces and features that are part of the library renovation project. We have changes coming on every floor. We have also placed signs to indicate future group and quiet zones. We encourage you to walk around and check out the coming attractions!

the Lounge comes to life

Today two 46 TV's for the Lounge were installed. The TV's will be captioned on various new stations. The Lounge is past the elevators on the first floor.

In addition to these TV's there will be new comfy seating, magazines and newspapers and the popular reading section. The popular reading section contains New York Times bestsellers. They will keep their covers, making it easy to browse for a book you might like. Checkout time is 2 weeks.

Copy Center Construction has Begun

Construction on the copy center has begun. This project will reduce the footprint of the copy center to allow an extension of Library Tech Services.

The copy center will still have 6 copiers as well as 2 new vending machines.

The expansion of Library Tech Services (formerly Computer Support) will accommodate a new color printer, poster printer, additional laptops, and space for future growth.

New chairs

No more endless spinning, ripped corners or broken chair backs. As part of the library renovation project the computer stations past the elevators on each floor and all group studies have new chairs.

Recycling

As a result of the library renovation there will be many more group meeting spaces AND vending machines in the library. To accommodate the added people and plastic new recycling bins have been distributed to every floor and the copy center.
Easily identifiable plastic, paper and aluminum can recycling bins are outside the doors to each floor, just past the elevators. There are also new bins in the copy center. As always, you can recycle paper in the green bins by all printers.

Thanks to all the student workers who helped and assemble and place the new bins.

Layout Changes and Cameras

A lot of furniture got moved last week, including almost 50 of the pinwheel carrels. This has opened up various areas in the library that will receive new furniture.

Two large furniture orders have been placed and in the next weeks you will see new chairs arrive for the group studies.


Electrical work is ongoing in the building on both Commons projects and the installation of new security cameras. Watch for the new cameras in the small dark “bubbles” on the ceiling. Smile.


The big open space behind reference will remain big and open until we receive the John Adams exhibit on August 17. The exhibit panels will be set up in that space and plans are underway for some special programming. We hope that we will have received most of the Commons furniture by the time the exhibit comes down on Sept. 30.


The Popular Reading collection is about to debut. A third bookshelf has been moved into the Lounge (i.e.comfortable seating near the Tech Services Desk) and books will begin appearing on those shelves in the next few weeks. The books are titles based on the New York Times bestseller lists. The books arrive with their jackets covered by clear plastic book covers. Books in the Popular Reading collection will circulate for two weeks and have a separate set of circulation rules. More on this soon.

Digital Media Studio Training Room Progress

201D was a mild mannered group study outside of the DMS. It is being transformed into one of our reservable spaces. It will be a combination training room and practice presentation space. Here students can conduct interviews, record audio, learn new software and practice their presentation. We expect this space to open sometime in the Fall semester. Here are some pictures of the progress.

Sorry, I can't hear you.

To help contain the noise in the group studies we are having acoustic panels installed in all the group studies.Two workmen will be in the building on Friday, July 1 to install the panels. We expect the men to arrive at about 10 a.m. and to work for the remainder of the day. They will start on the fourth floor and move down. There will be some noise associated with the work and some group studies will be temporarily unavailable. We hope the work will be completed by Saturday.

We have Names

The official names have been decided. Thanks to everyone who gave suggestions.

They are as follows:

for the first floor group area- Research Commons
Team Spot- Team Spot
Quiet study areas- Quiet Zones
Group areas- Group Zones
Popular reading area- The Lounge
Reserveable flexible meeting space in 262- The Meeting Place
Practice Presentation Rooms 248 B and 262 B- Presentation Practice Rooms East and West

We are still waiting on the official name for the Computer Support Desk.

Look for mock ups of our new signage the beginning of July

Timelines!

We have some updates on the construction process. You may have seen people climbing around in ceilings already. Here is what we know.

View the furniture choices and color board!

If you want to see the furniture and fabric choices up close this will be in the User Services reception area on the second floor (so students and MTSU faculty can see it) for the next two weeks and then in the Library staff break room.

Clean Chairs!

This week you will hear the hum of the machines as the existing plush seating is cleaned. If you have ever looked at these chairs, you will appreciate how long overdue this is. These clean chairs will be used in existing and new spaces in the library as part of our effort to be environmentally responsible and goods stewards of our stimulus funds.

Floor plans

Here are the library floor plans.

first floor
first floor close up

second floor

third and fourth floor

There will be another round, but with minor changes.

Watch this space for furniture pics, color boards and more.

study table design

Library Faculty and Staff- You are invited!

Walker Library Faculty and Staff are invited to a walking tour of the Library Renovation Project.
We will meet at the reference desk on Monday May 8th and Tuesday May 9th at 1o:00 and 2:00. Pick the day and time that works best for you and please join us. You will also get an invite in your mailbox.