Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Jocelyn McGregor

Sacramento State's Library may satisfy the needs of most students, but many can certainly agree that it is in need of a facelift, as business reference librarian Anne Bradley put it.

In 2003, it appeared that the Library would get a makeover.

There was a proposal to redesign the library using $37 million, but the idea was scratched due to budget concerns.

The library would have been divided into 5 floors with drastic changes such as changing the location of the entrance to make it more eye-catching for students and incorporating the breezeway into the building of the library itself, according to the Sac State Library: Programming/Feasibility Study.

Also, having services visible on the first floor of the library was considered more effective than being discouraged by the awkwardness of the escalator upon entering the library.

While California State University Long Beach and Fresno have renovated their libraries, Sac State has fallen behind. Some of Long Beach's remodeling includes a state-of-the-art computer and reference facility, new lighting, a Starbucks, new lobby, new restrooms and new carpeting, according to its website.

While the Library upgrade is unlikely to happen anytime soon, students are still thinking of ways they would improve it.

Junior kinesiology major Amanda Sherrill enjoys the fact that the library is relatively spacious, but feels that it can upgrade its availability of computers, especially since she constantly finds herself having to conduct research.

"There have been so many times when I attempted to use one of the computers in the computer lab and there wasn't a single one available," Shemill said.

"I just wish that there were more computers available for students," she said.

Sherrill also finds it quite difficult to find an adequate place in the library to study or meet with her fellow students to do class projects.

Freshman psychology major Theo Nault said that in addition to enhancing the library with more computers and spacious lounge areas, a sandwich vendor located inside the library would be a wise investment.

"Java City is cool since studying and coffee go hand in hand, but what about people who don't drink coffee? A sandwich shop is perfect," Nault said.

Criminal justice major Joanna Cuellar sees a different perspective of the library in terms of renovation.

"I would add a bigger variety of sections for more books, more printers and I would make the flooring hardwood instead of carpet," Cuellar said.

Sociology major Blaine Jackson, however, said he finds the library to be a comforting environment and convenient study tool.

"Whenever I had to do research for a class, I always found what I needed," Jackson said. "The library is well organized and it's actually easier for me to study there instead of trying to study at home.

"There isn't anything that I would change about the library," Jackson said.

Freshman apparel design and marketing major Tiffannie Velasquez cannot complain much about the current state of the library either. The only changes she would make would be to make the library look more lively, adding that it looks "old."

As part of the library reference department since 2003, librarian Anne Bradley said that the library is lacking natural lighting because of the scarcity of windows. She said more people would come to the library if it weren't so dreary.

Associate Dean for Public Services Fred Batt said the aesthetics of the building need to be reconstructed. The library continues to use signage dating back 18 years and furniture that is just as old as the library, he said.

"Examples of some improvements that are needed are: replace furniture to allow collaborative work spaces and provide network and electrical connectivity, logical way finding, infrastructure such as increased electrical capacity to handle additional equipment in use by library patrons and staff and additional spaces for seminar rooms, lecture halls and research commons," Batt said.

Despite many services that some believe the library is lacking, there have been some improvements.

Juan Carlos Rodriguez, director of the library information systems, added that in the last two years wireless connectivity has been expanded throughout the entire building.

More students started coming into the Library with their laptops, and even checked out laptops from the library for the four hours they are obtainable, which has been quite successful, Rodriguez said.

One of the services Batt proposes will help students is a web-based service that will e-mail or call students when more information is obtained on a specific subject they are researching.

"The service could possibly generate dates of completion of a particular project a student is working on," Batt added.

Rodriguez said all feedback for improvement is welcome. "We would like to hear from students and faculty about what we should or should not be doing," Rodriguez said.

Jacqueline Tualla can be reached at news@statehornet.com

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