With renovations over the winter session, Penfield Library opened their doors for the new semester displaying first floor renovations.
Two major changes were the writing center being relocated and updating the lobby to have a open and more attractive look. Although it might seem empty, the library is still waiting for new furniture to come in. Shipments will be coming in throughout the semester and should all be placed by graduation in May.
“I think the sustainability is a really big driving factor,” said Barbara Shaffer, the library director.
The floors were refinished so that only mopping would be necessary. Meaning there are less chemicals being used than before. The ceiling lights were also replaced with LED energy saving lights. Bottle filling stations will also be added.
With the writing center now on the first floor, in the reference room, it has become more accessible. Moving the writing center from the third floor was the big motivation to begin renovating.
“It wasn’t accessible and they needed more room,” Shaffer said.
Many students have expressed how happy they are with the new location and that they didn’t know where the writing center was before it was relocated.
Nick Craner, junior, said he would “definitely take advantage of the writing center now that it’s in a more convenient spot.”
According to Shaffer, fulfilling the requests of students is important. More electrical outlets have been added to tables and there are more accessible spaces for students. The quick print station has also been moved the wall perpendicular to the front desk where the scanning station used to be. Reorganizing the area will lessen the traffic going through the first floor Shaffer said. She noticed that with the new look, more students have been coming into the library.
Cassidy Livingston, a freshman, said she likes the new look.
“It has a warm tone,” Livingston said. “It’s more inviting too.”
Being a regular at the library, she said she’ll continue to go to the library as much as she already has, but does find herself enjoying the atmosphere more and being there in general. She also expressed how she likes the area of the writing center more.
Freshman Keyanni Wright said she likes the new look and the changes made to the first floor. Just as many other students have said, she says the writing center is in a much better spot.
“It was harder to find before it moved,” Wright said. Instead of being in the 24-hour room or on the second floor of the library, Wright thinks she’ll find herself on the first floor more often.
Shaffer hopes they will be able to renovate the other floors once money and funding is available. “There are a lot of needs on campus but we really hope to do more of this,” Shaffer said.
