Room to Breathe in MSU Library Plan

An oft-heard complaint on the MSU campus is the lack of study space within the MSU Library. While the library boasts four floors’ worth of desks, group study rooms and educational materials, the library has not been able to keep pace with a rapidly expanding campus now housing 15,964 scholars. There’s simply not enough room for every student to utilize the library.

Thankfully, the MSU Library has recognized the desperate need for additional study spaces. The Library and Campus Planning, Design and Construction has proposed a plan to adjust the collection storage in the library in order to open up more space for students.

Under this plan, underutilized collections would be moved off-site to a separate storage facility in Nopper 910. This removal would free up over 2,700 feet of space, which would be filled with new computers, tables, seats, and group study rooms. When the off-site collections are needed, they will be retrieved and delivered to patrons. The process of moving the collections will begin in summer 2019, and the new study spaces will open at the beginning of the fall semester.

The plan is a symbol of the library’s recognition of how to best utilize its space and money. While the library was originally constructed as a book repository, the shifting nature of information accessibility has altered the demands upon the library. The use of print collections in the library has been dropping steadily during the past ten years due to the advent of the Internet and the use of electronic resources. In fact, the majority of the library’s $5.8 million collections budget goes toward collecting resources such as online databases and articles. New student needs, including guidance with online research and spaces to study, will be effectively met through this plan.

Unfortunately, this process may involve thinning of books throughout the library’s collection. However, according to a public forum on the issue, this process would be carried out in a healthy way, akin to the pruning of a tree. The physical sections of the library that are no longer needed, many of which are represented in a digital format in the library, will be donated to other libraries. Other records will be preserved in physical form due to their historic importance.

The new study space would be an incredible boon to the MSU campus. Students and faculty alike will utilize the space. The plan signifies a key transformation from the archaic model of a book depository into the modern concept of a technologically-advanced study area

Students from all programs have overwhelmingly come out in favor of the new study space. Environmental science major Jacob Zimmer said, “As long as books are accessible, I think it’s a great idea. Students need more space in the library.” History major Justine Garcia added that “it’s good to see the school updating buildings to be sure that the students continue to have what they need to be successful.”

The library has shown a dedication to involving students and faculty with internal decisions. Through an extensive 18-month plan and meetings with deans, the ASMSU Senate, and general community in public forums, the library has been able to devise a plan that directly meets vitally important campus needs.

Finally, students can say good riddance to the plethora of irritations of overcrowding and embrace room to breathe in their university library.