Western libraries will begin its usual summer development project soon for the coming school year, bringing with it a new wave of additions.
Projects in Haggard Hall include the relocation of the Student Technology Center (STC), new furniture and workspace for students, workshop space mainly for classes and Zoe’s Bookside Bagels will be developed.
Much of the work is expected to be done by mid-September, said Frank Haulgren, facilities and assessment coordinator.
“The completion of the workshop space will be delayed until the holiday intersession,” Haulgren said.
Aramark will fund a large food preparation area in Zoe’s, along with new cabinetry. The area will allow the provision of more food choices and shorter payment lines without reducing café seating.
Developments like these don’t happen very often.
“These sorts of projects typically are beyond what the Libraries can afford, so we work with the Western Foundation and also request university minor capital improvement funds.” Haulgren said. “Sometimes we get lucky and a project is funded.”
“The completion of the workshop space will be delayed until the holiday intersession.”
Frank Haulgren
A lot of the funding was provided by the Hacherl family’s generous gift and their continued belief that in supporting the development of strong research and writing skills by Western students is important for their success, said Communications Manager Clarissa Mansfield.
The STC desk relocation will be closer to the equipment and computers they support all while retaining a high visibility service desk on the main floor of the Western Libraries and learning commons.
The space vacated by the current STC desk will be filled with soft furniture and tables to create a transitional space between the Haggard entry way and the Hacherl Research and Writing Studio.
“This change will increase the findability of the Studio while, at the same time, providing a comfortable meeting and workspace where students will have easy access to both technology experts and the Research and Writing Studio’s staff,” Haulgren said.
On the second floor east side of Haggard, a workshop space is being built which will be available as open study space when not in use for class.
“Over the last couple of years, demand from university faculty for student writing and research support has grown considerably and this space increases the Libraries’ ability to meet that demand,” Haulgren said.
According to The News at Western Libraries, improvements to Zoe’swill also be one of a part of the development project.
Junior Cassie De Santiago, who works at the info desk at Wilson Library, said she thinks the STC desk should stay where it is now because it is hard to notice the desk if it’s in the back.
“If it’s further in the back they [students] are not really paying attention to the background and so I feel like it’ll be harder for them to explore that resource,” De Santiago said.
