| Spring, 1999 |
California State University Fullerton Library Update |
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| Carl Uncover |
The Library has been a construction site for five years, as you are undoubtedly aware. Starting with groundbreaking for the addition in February 1994, the Library's environment has included dust, noise, and numerous changes in the physical location of various functions. Following occupancy of the new north wing in the summer of 1996 (and its formal dedication in October of that year), construction resumed in early 1997 on a seismic upgrade to the older of the Library's two structures. The basement, 1st and part of the 2nd floor were renovated in the first phase of the seismic work. The 2nd floor has been completed and the 3rd through 6th floors have been retrofitted in the just-concluding second phase. As this seismic work has progressed, a number of changes in the physical location of Library and Information Technology functions have been made, the most recent of which are detailed elsewhere in this issue. In addition, the extensively renovated basement now houses Telephone Services and a portion of IT's programming staff, as well as the Learning Technology Center--a long-time occupant. The second floor now houses the administrative offices of both the Library and Information Technology, and the Faculty Development Center. On floors 4 through 6, the circulating book collection of the Library has been expanded from its former location on floors 5 and 6, providing a less crowded environment and room for growth in expectation that an improving economy should permit the purchase of more books than was possible in the budgetary climate of the early 90's. One important opportunity remains for bringing still further improvement to the Pollak Library--attention to the first floor of the south wing. Although the construction budgets for neither the new addition nor the seismic work have included funding for extensive remodeling and renovation, there is considerable campus interest in upgrading the lobby area to make it a more attractive environment. This space has been characterized as the "living room" of the campus, and improving both the aesthetics and functionality of this floor warrants attention. Planning is also currently underway to determine how best to configure the reshelving function of Circulation to improve efficiency for both staff and users (e.g., better-positioned internal and external book-drops) as well as to accommodate Instructional Technology's need for additional office space and a training laboratory. All who use the Library or work within it can now enjoy the benefits of an improved environment. Not the least of the improvements is the restoration of passage on the 2nd floor bridge connecting the two wings. This should contribute considerably to having the two buildings work together as a consolidated information center. Many years of planning and construction now come together in a physical reality that will benefit our campus community. As has been recent practice, this issue of Library Update is published in both print and electronic versions. The Library is well aware of the costs associated with paper publication. We also realize that when it is cost-effective to do so, the Library has been substituting electronic access to many information resources that were formerly available only in paper. Doing similarly for our own production thus seems both appropriate and timely. Information Technology has pioneered such an approach by announcing that its recent Information Technology Download will be the "last hard copy edition." The Library following in this direction would also seem to fit with the President's roll-out initiative, designed in large measure to improve communication among constituent parts of the University. I invite your reactions; you may either e-mail me (rpollard@fullerton.edu) or call the Library's administrative office at x2714. Richard
Pollard
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