The planned renovation of Miller Library has been pushed back a speculated time of eight to ten years from now due to a lack of funds, according to Librarian Ruth Shoge.
In order for the college to have enough money to begin construction, the President must go on a “capital campaign” fundraiser to raise a target amount within a time limit, said Shoge. The capital campaign cannot begin, however, until the new president begins his term.
“The first phase of capital campaign planning will not begin until the new president comes in,” said Shoge.
Shoge said that they found out the news around the middle of last semester.
“We had started to design the library, we had gotten to the point where we had an architectural team. If the money had been realized, we would have been ready to go,” said Shoge.
“Right now we are quite frustrated. We have been promised extensive renovations for 20 years, and that has not happened,” said Shoge.
President Baird Tipson explained that the two latest construction projects have bumped the library onto the next capital campaign. Originally, Hodson Hall was just going to be upgraded, costing around three to four million dollars, said Tipson. “Basically we had to overhaul that project,” said Tipson and instead re-do the whole building, costing around $25 million.
The college also had to think about the necessity of building the River Dorms, Chester and Sassafras. “That project cost about 20 million dollars,” said Tipson.
“We were hoping we would have the funds now, but we just haven’t had that money. It’s still on the drawing board,” said Tipson.
Shoge thinks that the recession played a part, but the other major construction projects had a larger impact. “Overall I think the national economic climate had an impact, but I don’t think that’s the only contributor. We just completed two major buildings, and I think that soaked up much of the money,” said Shoge.
Students have expressed frustration at the library’s lack of resources and appearance. “I definitely think it could be renovated, it’s a little outdated, and it could be more inviting,” said junior Page Allen, a Circulation Desk Assistant at Miller Library, “We have great technology, but a lot of people have to use the Interlibrary Loan all the time.”
On the lower level, there are movable shelves because the library cannot fit all of these books and periodicals. Junior Nouria Bah had a difficult time getting resources for her music class. “The library is kind of old-school. I think we need to update our resources, they’re not that diverse. For instance, in my Jazz class we have to do research, but we couldn’t find any books here.”
Bah also thought that a more aesthetic appearance would boost the library’s popularity. “If they make it newer, more people will want to come to it. Like the new dining hall, they made it sexy, so everyone wants to go there.”
Freshman George Essig said that the few resources he’s used have been sufficient.
“I’m a math and science guy so I’m not writing any big papers. For a school of our size, the library’s size is sufficient. But for a school of our capacity, no,” said Essig.
Shoge stated firmly that Miller Library does not meet the needs of WC.
“The importance of having a library in a facility that can accommodate a higher percentage of the students in an environment that is comfortable, climate controlled, and conducive to study and collaborative work, that is paramount to the intellectual life of the college. We’re lacking behind our peers,” said Shoge. “We are one of the premier liberal arts colleges, and our library is just not up to standards,” said Shoge.
Junior Lauren Feeney believes that the library could definitely be bigger, but at the same time feels like not enough students utilize the resources. “Nobody knows that the study carrels are upstairs. And most of the freshmen don’t know how to look up books in the library catalog. They see the books on the first floor and think that’s it.”
Junior Mandy Moore feels that resources like the Writing Center and the Math Center all need to be in the same location. “From a Peer Mentor perspective, it’s really difficult for new students when the resources are not all located in the same area.”
Moore also noted that the small size is noticeable to other students.
“There are tons of books in piles in the basement,” she said.
Until the entire library can be rebuilt, a smaller project will take place. “There is a short term plan to replace the HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) system,” said Shoge. “We’re hoping that that will be completed two years from now.”
“I’m frustrated with the library,” said Tipson, noting that he thinks it’s an important renovation. “If there’s one thing I’ll leave here frustrated about, it’s the library.”
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