Library Project: Paying Nickels & Getting Dimes (to run in summer/fall 2002 Reinhardt Report - to be distributed in about 11/20/02)
"This
design is fine architecture," said library consultant Shawn Tonner, who
has also worked on libraries at Agnes Scott, Young Harris and Emory.
"It's like paying nickels and getting dimes." The completed Spruill
Family Learning Resources Center improves upon the original Hill Freeman
Library design by creating a flexible space that will serve library
patrons for many years to come, she said.
Throughout
the summer, the library staff, the Library Board and Tonner worked with
the architects to refine the plans and articulate what a Reinhardt
library in the 21st century needed to be. They brainstormed, considered
wild ideas, as well as core concepts. They asked questions and learned
from other libraries.
The resulting structure, which
expands and reconfigures the Hill Freeman Library, will span three
stories. The impressive 4,000 square-foot addition faces the Campus
center and features a new entry and elevator. Also anticipated are more
books, additional computer spaces, an expanded reference area, a copier
center, group and individual study rooms, more offices and an enhanced
terrace.
Acquisition Librarian Joel C. Langford
anticipates that students will appreciate having distinct areas
dedicated to different activities. The upper floor will be for quiet
study. The bottom floor will be a lively "buzz floor" with displays to
catch the attention of "passer-bys."
This project
began two and a half years ago with recommendations from a Blue Ribbon
Task Force. The demolition on the lower level was completed in
September, and construction will begin in mid-December. Project
completion is slated for summer 2003.
Funding for the
project is being derived from donations from two important Atlanta
foundations, combined with very generous gifts from Onnie Mae Spruill
and Ethel Warren Spruill.
Library Services Addressed through Renovation, Expansion (published winter/spring Reinhardt Report June 2002)
Imagine
this: a three-story library with a beautiful entrance facing the Campus
center. More books, a bigger computer lab, an expanded reference area, a
special collections room, a copier center. Individual and group study
rooms, more offices. A 4000-square-foot addition. All these features and
more will be included in the Spruill Family Learning Resources Center.
This
project began two years ago with recommendations from a Blue Ribbon
Task Force chaired by Trustee Ken White '61 of Dalton, Ga. The initial
stage added computers and furniture in the Hill Freeman Library in 2000
and was funded by Building Foundations for Life Capital Campaign gifts
made in 1998.
Acquisitions Librarian Joel C. Langford
agreed, saying the work will "continue to make Reinhardt's library a
more inviting and comfortable place. It will make it a place where
students want to come to do research and study."
The
Hill Freeman Library was built in 1969. The College's transition to
four-year status made the original structure and its contents obsolete.
"We
have been very deficient on those [collection size and library
resources], so building the book collection, as well as providing more
space for students, was really necessitated by this change [to four-year
status]," Langford said. "We hope to eventually have at least 100,000
volumes." The College currently has 45,000 volumes, with almost 3000
purchased this year.
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