What's Going on in the Library?
Over the summer, the St. Catherine University Library underwent many structural and functional changes, including a major integration with the Public Safety Department.
The library turned into a construction zone while students departed on summer break. Caution tape and fake walls went up, desks and computers were pushed to all different areas, and builders in bright yellow and green shirts were seen coming in and out, everyday. In front of the two wooden doors at the entrance to the Library, a purple “Pardon the Mess” sign continues to reside. According to members of the integration committee, the complete transition of Public Safety into its new first floor space is not set till the end of October, 2019.
This is not the only change occurring within the Library. The old public computer lab is now transformed into the ‘Tech Hub,’ an all-inclusive service center that serves students, staff, and faculty alike with any number of IT and techology problems. The Tech Hub blends the services of the IT Department and Media Services in one center locale. This center is also planning on providing extra help, resources, computer training, and technology classes to students, staff, and faculty members.
With these two big changes in the Library, the organization and layout of the Library may take some navigating to get used to. However, the new instructional space is bigger than before with more accessible space, and the group study areas have been reported to contain more usable software and technology which students can check out in an easy-to-use system.
This transition - specifically the move of Public Safety - came after much debate within the St. Kate’s community. Angela O’Riley, Chief Finanncial Officer, and Dr. Jeff Johnson, Professor of Philosophy, are heading this integration. There has been robust discussion with the library director, Ms. Emily Asch, student contributors from the College for Women Student Senate , as well as the campus section of NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) in regards to making this transition fair for both the library, Public Safety, and most of all the students.
Amy Mars, a research librarian at the library, said, “The library is often referred to as the ‘heart of the university’ and is not only vital to the academic mission of St. Kate’s but is also an essential community space for collaboration, cross-disciplinary dialogue, curiosity-driven inquiry, and more.” The current discussion is aimed at figuring out how to keep our “heart of the university,’ amidst many changes.
