An anonymous donor recently provided the DiMenna Nyselius library with a $26,500 technological upgrade.
The project was funded by the University’s capital equipment funds, and from an anonymous local resident in appreciation of the library’s community access and services.
Five new collaborative group study areas will be located in the lower level of the library, adjacent to the serials section. Each partitioned space has a table with five chairs, a white board and a brand new Planar monitor, according to Joan Overfield, director of library services.
The new work stations were installed this summer and are currently available to students on a first come, first serve basis.
Sharon Sparkman, head of the circulation department at the library, said that she has not seen many students use the work areas and said this is because students are unaware of their existence.
Jen Wohland ’08, an economics and finance double major, shared Sparkman’s feeling that students are largely unaware of the new stations.
“I didn’t know these study areas were down here,” she said. “I usually work upstairs, but they will definitely be a place I will keep in mind for future projects.”
“When everyone crowds around a laptop in a study room it is hard to see, and these Planar monitors will make sharing power points and other documents much easier,” said Wohland.
The library staff recommends that students either sign out a loaner laptop or bring their own to connect to the LCD Planar monitors. Once connected, any documents or images open on the laptop can be viewed by other group members on the 26-inch flat screen monitor.
Each work station also includes a laminated instruction manual to guide students who are unfamiliar with the technology.
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