Over winter break, Furman made minor changes to James B. Duke Library, adding two study rooms and 32 personal computers for student use.
“The changes were necessary, especially if they enhance the student experience of being in the library,” said circulation supervisor Robyn Andrews.
One of the new study rooms, located across from the DVD collection on the main floor, is where the library formerly kept its copy machine. The room marker for this study room remains “Copy Room” for the time being, but students are permitted to use it as study space.
“We had actually seen students trying to study/collaborate in the copier room,” Andrews said, “so we realized that study room space was premium.”
The copier from the main floor of the library is now located to the right of the circulation desk.
The second new study room was previously used as storage space. Located against the back wall of the research assistance section, this space was cleared out and restored as a study room.
Furman’s emphasis on campus-wide digitization projects has allowed the library to expand its Digicenter. This section of the library creates digital collections by converting analog material into a digital format. Expansion of the Digicenter should improve the quality of these collections for student and instructional use.
The new computers in the main foyer of the library were added as part of the four-year replacement cycle for campus computers. The University supplies the library with the funds to make these replacements on an annual basis.
Another change was the addition of new books to the library’s collection, including national bestsellers and other award winning books.
“We have been making a conscious effort to improve our leisure collection over the past few months,” Andrews said. “We have also worked to add books that cover a wider range of interests, which are less academic but may still be of interest to the general public.”
Andrews said the library always welcomes student, faculty, and staff recommendations regarding new titles to add.
Student seem to be noticing the changes. Andrews said student reactions have been positive.
“It’s always nice to see the University making changes to improve the Furman student experience,” she said, “especially in a facility as well utilized as the library.”
