A New Look for the Library

Those returning to the library at the start of the new semester were in for a surprise. The second floor has been totally remodeled with new carpeting, ceiling and lighting and a new coat of paint. All of the shelves holding the library’s print periodicals collection have been repainted and realigned. Wide aisles give an airy, spacious appearance, with plenty of natural light and views of the beautiful Notre Dame campus from every window. Clerestory windows at the top of newly constructed interior walls also contribute to the feeling of openness. A new floor to ceiling wall map provides a focal point on the east wall of the map and atlas area. At the top of the stairs, a new lounge area with comfortable seating is proving to be a popular place for students to congregate.

The former audio-visual area in the southwest quadrant of the second floor has undergone a dramatic transformation into a state-of-the-art forty-seat electronic classroom, equipped with two Smart Boards and laptops for each student. Smart technology enables instructors to use a more interactive approach to teaching and to integrate graphics, PowerPoint slides, DVDs and videos seamlessly into their presentations. The Smart Classroom is already a popular place for classes. It may be booked for workshops, classes and meetings by faculty and staff who have received proper training in the use of the room.

The library’s second floor is also headquarters for two new programs on campus. The old Media Lab has been converted into an attractive office for the Director of the Nursing Program, Diane Jedlicka. The space formerly occupied by the Curriculum Library is now the home of the Academic Support Center, run by Gretchen Walsh, Director, and Mary Jo O’Neill, Assistant Director. Equipped with a large classroom, new computers, and four rooms for tutoring and individual study, the Center supports the College’s Learning Differences program. The Academic Support Center, scheduled to be in full service in January, will serve students with documented learning disabilities, the segment of the student population that is traditionally underserved at the college level. Every effort has been made by Gretchen and Mary Jo to provide a welcoming, relaxing and enriching atmosphere conducive to effective learning, with comfortable furniture, walls painted a soothing shade of blue and soft pastel artwork on the walls. On November 3rd an Open House open to the general public was held in celebration of the opening of the Academic Support Center, attracting over ninety people wishing to learn more about this much-needed resource.