It was apparent that John Denbraber liked what he saw. The smile on his face slowly grew. His eyes were noticeably widened as he maintained an intense focus on the computer monitor in front of him. On this screen was a glimpse into the future, a vision that would not only impact him, but his 24,000 fellow students and the thousands of other students that would follow him. On the monitor was a virtual tour, which was weaving itself through and around the planned Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons, the new library scheduled to be built at Grand Valley State University. John’s jaw seemed to drop at every new feature he noticed in the future library, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“This thing is awesome, I can’t believe some of the things that they are putting [in the new library],” said John who is a Grand Valley freshman, “I never use libraries, but this new one looks sweet, in fact I might just fail a few of my classes just so I can come back and spend additional time there.”
The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons is a 144,000 square foot future development that intends to replace not only the outdated Zumberge Library but the way that libraries as a whole impact students learning. The $70 million project, slated to be completed in April of 2013, intends to revolutionize the way libraries operate, by adding additional services that offer students the best chance to succeed in their academic studies and career paths. It is a development that has implications on both current and future students.
One can say that the current Zumberge library is past its prime and is bringing down Grand Valley with it. The outdated facility was built in 1969 for an enrollment of about 5,000 students and designed to offer each student 21.6 square feet of space. Today, Grand Valley has 24,000 students offering about 4.46 square feet of space per student, a harsh drop-off from the state average of 15. Library usage at Grand Valley has also increased, creating space problems. To go along with these space issues, the building wasn’t designed for today’s heavy reliance on computer and information systems to get work done.
“The building isn’t very computer friendly,” said Student Senator Brennen Gorman who is on the committee of political affairs “Overall it’s an ugly building that just simply can’t effectively serve Grand Valley’s current student body…by building a new library the University is fixing its biggest problem.”
Replacing the elderly Zumberge with a hip new state of the art library is certain to affect admissions. According to a report by the APPA (formerly Association of Physical Plant Administrators), a group made up of University Facilities Managers, the library was an extremely or very important factor in selection of a college for 54% of students, second only to the facilities for their majors. The same report also stated that the library was also ranked as the third most important place on campus to see during a visit, following the facilities for their major and the residence halls, yet according to Gorman, Grand Valley tour guides are not supposed to bring their groups into the library.
The outdated library has been a consistent negative whenever tour guides have given prospective students tours of the campus. “Overall I liked what Grand Valley showed us,” said Patricia Rosevear the mother of a prospective student “however I wasn’t very impressed with the library, it’s easily the worst one we’ve seen on all our college visits. Another parent who wished to remain anonymous thought that the library that he had when he was attending college was in far better shape and was more impressive than Zumberge. However with The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons plan in place, GVSU leaders feel that the libraries at Grand Valley should go from a major weakness to a key focal point in terms of admissions and prospective students.
“Overall we feel very satisfied with the structure that we have designed,” said James Moyer Assistant Vice President for Facilities Planning “We are confident that it will usher in a new era for Grand Valley.”
The biggest effects brought about by The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons are those centered around future students as the new library will introduce uniquely new features that will aid student learning. “[The new library] is a care free environment which students can continue work that a student has started in the classroom; In fact it can add a dimension of growth and learning that a classroom doesn’t always offer. It is redefining what a library should be,” said Lee Van Orsdel, the Dean of University Libraries. She also claims that the library will become a fluid, dynamic academic center that draws students in and invites them to labor and explore ideas.
Some of the new features include multiple public and private group meeting rooms/collaborative work areas, a multipurpose room, an Automatic Retrieval System, A bibliographic training room, a small café, computer stations and alcoves with wall screens. An Exhibition gallery where students could meet with visiting experts within their respective fields. A ‘Genius Bar’ in which students can meet assistants in order to assist with computers and research. Moyer claims that the reason for adding a lot of these features is to extend group sessions/meetings or to encourage students to stay at the library longer.
However the most significant new addition might be the Knowledge Market were students can walk up and receive resources that improve their job skills or help them with a particular part of an assignment. An example would be a speech prep center which is a unique aid that would offer students the tools and feedback to perfect presentations and demonstrations. “We put together in one place right in front of the students the resources to build all the skills that employers tell us are critical to the work place: writing, speaking, presenting, graphic design and research. Students manage their own learning, choosing the help they need when they need it,” Said Van Orsdel. These programs would affect future students, giving them extra opportunities in order to improve their studies, schoolwork, and job training.
Due to the fact that the library is scheduled to open in April of 2013, most current students at Grand Valley will have graduated by then and thus miss out on experiencing the new library, however current students may still feel the effects of the library. For the past eight years, Grand Valley has been trying to get state matching funds in order to pay for the library, yet the state gave them no money. The decision was made to go ahead and construct the $70 million dollar project, using donations, bonds and savings to fund the development.
“We decided that we had to move forward at some point and realized that eight years was enough…If we decided to stay put and wait for the State matching funds, we would be waiting longer as the state just had more money,” said Moyer.
However Moyer hinted that Grand Valley may still receive the funds down the line in order to help pay for the library, opening up speculation that some money may still be needed for the project.
Whether that’s the case or not, those bonds and loans are still going to have to be paid back in full eventually. Although Grand Valley President Thomas Hass has insisted that the new library will not raise tuition, that seems unlikely as debts are going to have to be paid back, as well as pay upkeep costs for a 144,000 square foot facility. Moyer also said that The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons will have a need for more jobs and staff members. He also said that most of the staff will be undergoing training and a transition process well before the library opens; currently they are training five people-three years before the library is to be opened. This isn’t even factoring in any construction delays/problems that might result when building the new library or the Zumberge renovations. It seems highly likely that current students may see a tuition increase soon.
Although many current students will graduate before the state of the art Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons opens in 2013, some may feel negative effects such as tuition increases. However the new library is the necessary steps for Grand Valley; it addresses the schools biggest weakness, will have an effect on admissions, and when opened, provide future students with the necessary tools and resources that could give them an advantage over others when applying to jobs. The new library should not only revolutionize perceptions of what a library does for students, but usher Grand Valley into a new era.
“This thing is awesome, I can’t believe some of the things that they are putting [in the new library],” said John who is a Grand Valley freshman, “I never use libraries, but this new one looks sweet, in fact I might just fail a few of my classes just so I can come back and spend additional time there.”
The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons is a 144,000 square foot future development that intends to replace not only the outdated Zumberge Library but the way that libraries as a whole impact students learning. The $70 million project, slated to be completed in April of 2013, intends to revolutionize the way libraries operate, by adding additional services that offer students the best chance to succeed in their academic studies and career paths. It is a development that has implications on both current and future students.
One can say that the current Zumberge library is past its prime and is bringing down Grand Valley with it. The outdated facility was built in 1969 for an enrollment of about 5,000 students and designed to offer each student 21.6 square feet of space. Today, Grand Valley has 24,000 students offering about 4.46 square feet of space per student, a harsh drop-off from the state average of 15. Library usage at Grand Valley has also increased, creating space problems. To go along with these space issues, the building wasn’t designed for today’s heavy reliance on computer and information systems to get work done.
“The building isn’t very computer friendly,” said Student Senator Brennen Gorman who is on the committee of political affairs “Overall it’s an ugly building that just simply can’t effectively serve Grand Valley’s current student body…by building a new library the University is fixing its biggest problem.”
Replacing the elderly Zumberge with a hip new state of the art library is certain to affect admissions. According to a report by the APPA (formerly Association of Physical Plant Administrators), a group made up of University Facilities Managers, the library was an extremely or very important factor in selection of a college for 54% of students, second only to the facilities for their majors. The same report also stated that the library was also ranked as the third most important place on campus to see during a visit, following the facilities for their major and the residence halls, yet according to Gorman, Grand Valley tour guides are not supposed to bring their groups into the library.
The outdated library has been a consistent negative whenever tour guides have given prospective students tours of the campus. “Overall I liked what Grand Valley showed us,” said Patricia Rosevear the mother of a prospective student “however I wasn’t very impressed with the library, it’s easily the worst one we’ve seen on all our college visits. Another parent who wished to remain anonymous thought that the library that he had when he was attending college was in far better shape and was more impressive than Zumberge. However with The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons plan in place, GVSU leaders feel that the libraries at Grand Valley should go from a major weakness to a key focal point in terms of admissions and prospective students.
“Overall we feel very satisfied with the structure that we have designed,” said James Moyer Assistant Vice President for Facilities Planning “We are confident that it will usher in a new era for Grand Valley.”
The biggest effects brought about by The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons are those centered around future students as the new library will introduce uniquely new features that will aid student learning. “[The new library] is a care free environment which students can continue work that a student has started in the classroom; In fact it can add a dimension of growth and learning that a classroom doesn’t always offer. It is redefining what a library should be,” said Lee Van Orsdel, the Dean of University Libraries. She also claims that the library will become a fluid, dynamic academic center that draws students in and invites them to labor and explore ideas.
Some of the new features include multiple public and private group meeting rooms/collaborative work areas, a multipurpose room, an Automatic Retrieval System, A bibliographic training room, a small café, computer stations and alcoves with wall screens. An Exhibition gallery where students could meet with visiting experts within their respective fields. A ‘Genius Bar’ in which students can meet assistants in order to assist with computers and research. Moyer claims that the reason for adding a lot of these features is to extend group sessions/meetings or to encourage students to stay at the library longer.
However the most significant new addition might be the Knowledge Market were students can walk up and receive resources that improve their job skills or help them with a particular part of an assignment. An example would be a speech prep center which is a unique aid that would offer students the tools and feedback to perfect presentations and demonstrations. “We put together in one place right in front of the students the resources to build all the skills that employers tell us are critical to the work place: writing, speaking, presenting, graphic design and research. Students manage their own learning, choosing the help they need when they need it,” Said Van Orsdel. These programs would affect future students, giving them extra opportunities in order to improve their studies, schoolwork, and job training.
Due to the fact that the library is scheduled to open in April of 2013, most current students at Grand Valley will have graduated by then and thus miss out on experiencing the new library, however current students may still feel the effects of the library. For the past eight years, Grand Valley has been trying to get state matching funds in order to pay for the library, yet the state gave them no money. The decision was made to go ahead and construct the $70 million dollar project, using donations, bonds and savings to fund the development.
“We decided that we had to move forward at some point and realized that eight years was enough…If we decided to stay put and wait for the State matching funds, we would be waiting longer as the state just had more money,” said Moyer.
However Moyer hinted that Grand Valley may still receive the funds down the line in order to help pay for the library, opening up speculation that some money may still be needed for the project.
Whether that’s the case or not, those bonds and loans are still going to have to be paid back in full eventually. Although Grand Valley President Thomas Hass has insisted that the new library will not raise tuition, that seems unlikely as debts are going to have to be paid back, as well as pay upkeep costs for a 144,000 square foot facility. Moyer also said that The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons will have a need for more jobs and staff members. He also said that most of the staff will be undergoing training and a transition process well before the library opens; currently they are training five people-three years before the library is to be opened. This isn’t even factoring in any construction delays/problems that might result when building the new library or the Zumberge renovations. It seems highly likely that current students may see a tuition increase soon.
Although many current students will graduate before the state of the art Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons opens in 2013, some may feel negative effects such as tuition increases. However the new library is the necessary steps for Grand Valley; it addresses the schools biggest weakness, will have an effect on admissions, and when opened, provide future students with the necessary tools and resources that could give them an advantage over others when applying to jobs. The new library should not only revolutionize perceptions of what a library does for students, but usher Grand Valley into a new era.
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