Morris Library transformation
Information Room renovation increases student collaboration space
10:38 a.m., Dec. 1, 2014--The University of Delaware Library unveiled the newly renovated Information Room on the first floor of the Morris Library at the beginning of the fall 2014 semester, after a year of planning and integration of input from students.
Made possible through support from the Unidel Foundation, the project was managed by Sandra K. Millard, associate University librarian for services, outreach and assessment. “Students told the library what they wanted in the spring 2013 Lib Qual Library Survey, and the library responded after careful planning and listening to student input,” Millard said.
Campus Stories
From graduates, faculty
Doctoral hooding
Groups of students can collaborate, and individuals can study – side by side. Talking is allowed and encouraged.
“This is fantastic — I can’t believe it,” one student commented upon entering the Morris Library in September 2014. Another said, “I love to use all the different chairs and move depending on my study mood.”
The Information Room was transformed into an attractive busy collaborative learning space for students, with new technology, modern flexible furnishings, carpet, paint and lighting.
Librarians multitask and assist users at the Reference Desk in person, by phone, online and via text with research and information questions. Circulation and Reserve Desk staff assist users with collection check out, course reserve, materials security using the RFID system, general and direction questions until midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and until 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Library systems staff constantly maintain the technology in the Information Room.
“The reaction of returning students has been extremely positive and some of them just go from seat to seat, from chair to chair, delighted by them all. They also love the new vertical computers,” Robert Hampel, professor in the School of Education, said.
The new clear glass entrance gates of the new 3M collection security system greet all those entering. This new RFID based modern security system meant elimination of the old system of users presenting belongings for bag check at exit. Users enter and exit easily and quickly through all gates.
The seating capacity, variety and number of computers in the Information Room greatly increased. Seating includes not only computer table seating but a large curved banquette, two smaller banquets, small booths, brightly colored chairs of all types and small tables in a variety of styles, that are always in use. Dual-screen monitors allow users to simultaneously have two open systems on which to work. Wireless access is available throughout the area.
New computers were joined by four new high speed printers with touch screen controls which reduced time significantly for busy students. Large monitors allow maximum visibility on screens. A new Scannx scanner in the Information Room provides students the ability to quickly scan items at no charge. Long high counters with computers replaced bookshelves which had ringed the room. The Value Transfer Station was relocated to the Information Room for ease of access to add value to ID cards and copy cards for printing.
The Information Room on the first floor of the Morris Library joins the Student Multimedia Design Center on the lower level, and the 31 group study rooms, as collaborative spaces meant for discussion. The University Library provides learning spaces for both collaboration and for quiet study. Quiet study areas are also prized in the Morris Library and include the Melva B. Guthrie Atrium on the second floor, the Reading Room on the first floor, and study carrels on the second and third floors.