Kent evolving from just a library

Most people have a hard time grasping what an "information commons" is.

"Some people think it's the coffee cart. Some people think it's the computers. Others think it is reference," Kent Library director Ed Buis said.

"What it amounts to is a lot of people working together to give support for all the resources," he said.

The buzz word is being pushed heavily by Southeast Missouri State University library administrators, who want the library to be seen as a one-stop shop.

The library has undergone a transformation in the last two years, physically and conceptionally.

The reference section was moved from the first floor to make room for a coffee bar, seating areas and event seating. Relocated to the third floor, the reference area is now more comprehensive, administrators said.

On that floor, 100 new computers were installed with Internet access. Previously, the 30 computers or so spread throughout the library only allowed students access to the library catalog or certain periodicals. Students had to go elsewhere on campus for basic computer work.

Floor-to-ceiling plastic sheets section off construction areas, where on the east side of the library a multimedia center will be open by January. In addition to housing group meeting rooms, there will also be three production rooms equipped with computers, editing equipment, SMART Boards and digital cameras.

"Students can edit materials, add sound, check out laptops or cameras, and even do a live videoconference," Buis said.

On the west side of the building, a conference room large enough to fit a class is being constructed, along with offices for reference staff.

Dr. David Starrett, the dean of academic information services, is quick to point out that none of the library's 400,000 books were removed to make room for renovations. Books previously on the third floor were packed in on the fourth floor, where in the past there were rows of metal gray tables with plastic chairs.

Comfy sofas and lounge chairs now take their place.

"We want to make it a convenient, pleasant area," Buis said.

The university has dedicated $1 million to the project, according to Buis. Changes began about two years ago, and are the first since 1968. A majority of construction was completed this past summer, and the computers were installed in time for the first day of class in August.

Perhaps the biggest change, however, is one that students can't see, Buis said. That change is how the library staff is organized and it views the library. Before, many components, such as the writing center and a faculty resource center, were housed in the library but seen as separate entities.

"They were different organizations with their own plans about where they were going to go," Buis said.

Now all the components are under one dean with one vision. With the increased communication, Starrett hopes reference staff and librarians will be better suited to direct students or meet their needs.

Sophomore Walter Jackson said he uses the library's computers quite a bit.

"It's helpful because when you need to do research and can't get on a computer, what's the point of going to a library?" he said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123