Park Library right on schedule

• Tweet
• 

The construction of the new Park Library is causing confusion for students looking
for books, but construction is on schedule.
Stephen Foster, associate dean of the Libraries, said recent renovations have
caused a change in location for the circulation area.
Students must now enter from the north end of the library, where Franklin and
Preston streets meet, as opposed to entering from the west end.
Most students are unaware of the change, and some are unaware they have access
to the new library.
“I didn’t even know the new library was open. I’ve just been to
Finch (Fieldhouse) a few times,” said Katie Newton, Fowlerville freshman.
“I’ve seen it (the library), but I’ve never been in it. I just
use the computer labs a lot,” said Justin Joquico, Rochester freshman.
Robyn Stevens, Marlette junior, knew the library was available for use, but was
only aware of the west entrance.
“If I need a reference book I’ll use the new library, but I don’t
use it that often. I didn’t know the entrance changed though,” she said.
This change is a result of the completion of construction on the east side. The
workers have to finish the demolition on the west side before students can use
all entrances, Foster said.
“Students will still go to the same circulation desk in the initial hallway
on the first floor to request materials,” Foster said.
The next step is to complete the exterior construction on the north and west sides.
There is not much left to complete on those sides and Foster said he expects workers
to finish them fairly soon.

This summer, workers will begin landscaping construction and will complete the
demolition on the west side. They will also finish the interior work on the building.
Park Library Collection Department Head Pamela Grudzien said she photographed
and recorded the names of the first three students to enter the library.
“I thought it was a historical event,” she said.
The first person to walk in the newly completed library was Sarah Dame, Maple
City sophomore.
“I couldn’t see much but I peeked around. I think it’s going to
be a great addition to campus,” she said.
“The new library will be a more inviting place in a more attractive building.
It will have extra study space, more technology, more data connections for hooking
up computers and more computers. It will also have a lot of natural light, something
the old library didn’t have,” Foster said.
Construction began in June 1999 and is on schedule. Foster said he expects it
to be completed around October 2001.
It will then take a couple of months to move books and materials back into the
library.
The new Park Library is expected to open in early January 2002.