Those entering the newly renovated Candler Library may not be aware of the new technologies that propel the 75-year-old classic Emory structure into the 21st century.

Through careful renovation and design, modern bells and whistles such as new computer kiosks and high-end presentation equipment were discreetly integrated into the common areas and classrooms of the building. The newly renovated classrooms, supported by the Information Technology Division (ITD), reopened in August.

The initiative was a team project with contributors from Emory College, ITD and Facilities Management (FM), together with outside contractors and vendors. The new design creatively adapts and recycles what had become an obsolete facility, giving it new life. Another important aspect of the renovation was the implementation of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) principles throughout the design and construction of both the renovation and the building's new addition.

ITD and Emory College overhauled 15 classrooms and conference rooms, filling Candler Library with some of the most flexible, well-engineered and technology-rich spaces on campus.

Audiovisual (AV) upgrades include shared smart classrooms (scheduled by the registrar's office) for use by faculty and students campuswide. Department-specific seminar rooms were outfitted for African American studies, classics, the Center for Teaching and Curriculum, Jewish studies and women's studies. These rooms are equipped with dedicated computers, document cameras and DVD and VHS players. They offer Emory cable television and data network access, laptop display capabilities, and Crestron control user interface systems. Each room's AV lectern is equipped with an innovative electronic locking system, designed to increase equipment security while allowing easy access for campus users.

Candler's meeting rooms for college administration and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences also have been brought into the state-of-the-art. Technology in both areas was designed with user-friendly, lighted touch-panel controls to display computer and laptop presentations or video from a VHS or DVD player. Each room features a document camera for display of black-and-white or color documents, drawings or three-dimensional objects.

The presentation equipment in Candler classrooms is supported by Classroom Technologies, which is located in the Computing Center at Cox Hall and is part of ITD's Academic Technologies Group directed by Alan Cattier. In preparation for the more than 100 classes scheduled in Candler this semester, Classroom Technologies expanded its training initiatives, offering in-class sessions for faculty and support staff. Initial feedback indicates that both faculty and students are comfortable with the new technologies and pleased with the room designs.

"Document cameras that display crisp digital images now stand where AV carts and chalk-dusted overhead projectors once were," said Steve Witte, customer service lead for Classroom Technologies. "It's an exciting time for the University and for faculty who are integrating technologies into their teaching."

The computing power of the new classrooms allows for easy data connections via the Emory network, offering quick access to teaching tools like Blackboard, the web and LearnLink, and the availability of Emory cable TV adds another programming option. Candler's hallways and lobbies are dotted with walk-up iMac computer kiosks; students have discovered that the kiosks and their surrounding areas are quiet, comfortable places to relax between classes and enjoy the elegantly restored building.

"Information technology resources and the people who support them play an important role in building community as well as enhancing teaching and scholarship in today's university," said Don Harris, vice provost for information technology. "Having spaces like this is critical in allowing Emory to achieve the 'academic destination' status described in the draft version of the University's Vision Statement."

For more information about the academic computing and classroom support services of ITD, visit http://it.emory.edu/ .