Emory Report

 August 25, 1997

 Volume 50, No. 1

Library renovations half finished

The start of the fall semester marks the halfway point for completing the new Woodruff Library/Center for Library and Information Resources. Sixty-five thousand square feet of new, airy and well-lighted space will open, but construction work will continue on the three lower floors of the library.

Here's what's new for fall: data-wired seating for 350; group study rooms; new locations for circulation and reserves, the Center for Business Information, current periodicals and microforms; a sizable number of computer workstations; and an electronic classroom.

Most other library departments will be in temporary locations, including interlibrary loan, part of the government documents' print collections and reference. The music print collection and the media collection occupy the third floor reading room, vacated by Reserves, of Candler Library.

Not until sometime in the spring will the Woodruff Library/Center for Library and Information Resources be completed. When the renovation is done, a newly configured reference area, an innovative technology center bringing together staff, equipment and software for combining multimedia and print resources, an information commons, three electronic classrooms and data-wired seating for 700 will all be available.

EmoryCard will be needed for library
Following recommendations of the University Senate's Library Policy Committee, Woodruff Library will implement card access this fall semester. Be prepared to use your Emory Card not only for borrowing material but for activating the turnstiles at the new entrance. Non-Emory users will be required to show a picture identification and indicate their research needs.

Card access provides a way for research libraries to redirect casual or convenience use by visitors. Woodruff Library has frequently been used as a substitute for a public library or as a convenient place for students of other area institutions to study and use equipment. The large number of non-Emory users, especially during evenings and on weekends, has created a significant drain on the resources of staff, collections and equipment and has made it difficult for the Emory community to use the resources they need. Card access will also help maintain a more secure environment for users, staff and Emory's information resources.

Following the pattern of most major research libraries and the recommendations of the library faculty policy committee, we will institute a fee structure for non-Emory users as soon as feasible, most likely in the spring semester after construction and renovation have been completed. Special provisions will be set up for member institutions of the University Center in Georgia and for researchers from Emory-affiliated institutions.-Joan Gotwals

Joan Gotwals is vice provost and director of libraries.


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