Next meeting: Wednesday, November 22, Noon, Faculty House
Agenda: Finish up classroom space discussion
Possibly finish up field trips discussion
Computer services policy concerning mass emails

Present: Frank Thomas, Helen Scott, Jon Chenette, Rebecca Stuhr, Marci Sortor, Christopher McKee, Bill Francis, Tyler Roberts

Consultants:
Carol Wedge, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott (SBRA)
Tom Kearns, SBRA
Chris Jones, Carol R. Johnson & Assoc.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the proposed library.

Sense of scale is important. The library/campus center should not be so large that they don't fit in with the campus setting.

Library often serves as lab space for Social Sciences and Humanities.
What space needs do these areas have? It is most efficient and effective to work at the library.

Question of library space needs as more and more is available online:
Until the internet is so sophisticated as to allow better searching capabilities of complete books online, or until research is completely accessible online, physical space will be needed. Library space is more than study-oriented; it has a sociological importance as well.

Library must be a welcoming and comfortable study space.
Must have quiet space.

Library needs to be architecturally able to slow sound travel.

Discussion of a possible New Book area, perhaps in a Browsing Room. This could be more of a social room with comfortable furniture. Possibly also used for poetry readings, etc.
Also a Reading Room: A space to be focused and see others focused as well.

Keep the feel of a library rather than a computer center.

Planners need to take into account the needs of the users. What feels right for one group may not feel right for another.

Computer accessibility should be wide in both the library and campus center. Possibly a wireless network?

The question was raised whether a large meeting space was being considered (large enough for convocations or indoor graduation).
The campus center plan includes a large, flexible lobby-type space, similar to South Lounge at the Forum. It is not intended to be large enough for graduation.

Library needs to have space for group project work.
Various rooms totaling approximately 60 seats are in the current library plan.

Discussion of IMTSs and their role on campus:
· CD-Rom (Italian)
· Interactive web
· Discussion boards
· Conference (ACM-summer)
· High School - Great Depression project; Interdisciplinary course

Discussion of whether IMTSs should remain housed with or near their designated areas or if they should be centralized.
Proximity has led to many informal discussions between faculty and IMTSs. This has allowed for collaboration and improvements more than if the IMTSs had been located elsewhere.

Faculty need to be vocal about their desire to keep IMTSs distributed throughout campus rather than being centralized.
The question was raised of office space. This could be an argument for centralization.
Also, centralizing IMTSs could allow for shared equipment.

The question of video-conferencing was raised:
There is an ICN site at the Glove factory (not yet working).
It needs to be on central campus.

The library needs a better search device. Have holdings, other library books, web, etc., all accessible at once.

Library needs dedicated connections for faster and more stable computer use.

Suggestion the library staff meet with classes multiple times throughout the semester for shorter periods rather than one big block of time to explain policies, procedures, resources, capabilities. Best to meet in a room with projection capabilities to demonstrate library services. Meeting in this way would allow the demonstration to be more tailored to needs of each class.

The question was asked: What is a library?
Christopher wrote a document outlining his perception.
Information leads to knowledge which leads to wisdom.
To follow this path, people need time and space to reflect.

The mission of the library has not changed, however, the means to attaining it have.

The value of self-discovery should be evident when entering the library, whether it is reflected architecturally or otherwise.

Discussion of a café in the library:
· Janitorial staff has been reduced. Will more be hired or will current staff be asked to take on extra duties?
· Mice/extra garbage
· Mixing food and books could cause problems
· How can College justify increasing staff to run a café rather than hiring staff for cataloging and other library needs?
· Many potential problems.
· Could the café be in the campus center instead?

What would make a "student" center a "campus" center? What would make it useful for faculty and staff?

• Suggested: Wide selection of newspapers. Morning coffee.
  Faculty dining room. Should be located out of the way. Increase food selection.
  Post Office will be housed in the center.
  Forum-type grill/South Lounge-type atmosphere.
  Increase number of PDRs

Dining halls will be consolidated into one area.

Discussion of having a "faculty only" space in the library.
If faculty want to interact with others, they do so either at the Forum or their office. Faculty need private time to do their own research at the library.

The Forum is missing "in-between" space. It is either food-based or event-based.