Tech Library: A Model for Tomorrow
Introduction
Technology is constantly pulling society forward to new heights and higher standards for academic excellence. As technology evolves, students welcome new learning tools, advancements in software applications and collaborative interfaces that push their boundaries on learning. Students of technology are dedicated to learning how to problem solve, using skills taught in the classroom and collaborating with fellow students. Leading engineering universities seek new and exciting ways to integrate technology and learning, including a movement towards the transformation of the library from a book-lending infrastructure to a hub for interactive learning—a place where students collaborate on group projects in private, spacious, work rooms with an ambiance that stirs creativity. At the same time, the library is also a clean, stimulating environment for individual study where students can focus on their academic work for hours and not grow sore from uncomfortable furniture or depressed from gloomy décor. The revolution has begun. The future will view the library through different eyes, and the word “library” will be equated with a center of leading edge technology that lets students converse face to face while located in different parts of campus or even the world; that allows students to physically manipulate computer files, moving them into folders and compiling research data by the wave of a hand; and that frees students from the inconvenience of manually checking out books. However, the Seeley G. Mudd Library for Science and Engineering (here after referred to as Tech Library) is stuck in the 1970’s. Not having been through a major renovation since its construction in 1976, Tech Library has become outdated, and as such, it is inadequately designed to suit the needs of an engineering student who, whether working in a group or individually, strives to achieve one’s academic best and to keep up with fellow engineering students from prestigious universities.
As engineering students, we have been kicked out of Tech Library at 11:50 pm the night before a final. We have studied at Tech Express waiting for Tech Library to open on the weekends. Those who live further away from Tech spend their time between classes at Tech Library only to fall prey to the gloomy atmosphere and fall asleep. We have walked all three floors of the library looking for a place to do group work. On multiple occasions, we have hoped to find an open computer only to be disappointed. The shortcomings of Tech Library have been frustrating to engineering students for years. It is now time to solve the problem and turn it into something of which students can be proud and a place where they enjoy spending their time.
During the past ten weeks, the Industrial Engineering Systems Project Management Class of twenty-five students has developed a solution to the changing role of the library. This solution considers the requests and advice of the student body, library staff, Northwestern faculty, administration, and planning staff. Our goal for Tech Library is to create a clean, uplifting, futuristic ambiance that provides ample space for students to study and work together comfortably and happily with the added benefits of modern technology. We are confident that our design is one that provides a lasting solution and one that is supported by the student body.
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