NSM Literature and Languages
May 3, 2010
Attending: Bob Cagle, Paula Carns (minute taker), Dara Goldman, Harriett Green, Tony Hynes, JoAnn
Jacoby (Administrative liaison), Jo Kibbee, Marek Sroka, Jeff Schrader, Connie Santarelli, Bruce Swan,
and Renee Trilling
I. Conversation with Jeff Schrader, Asst. Dean of Libraries for Facilities, who came at the team’s
invitation to discuss the proposed spaces of rooms 225 and 200 for the new library.
Question about study space: Does the new unit need separate group study spaces? If so, how many, where
should they be located and what might the requirements for them be? Some team members felt that a
shared, semi-private space where students and faculty can collaborate, hold meetings, and be in close
proximity to library collections is desirable. Many students have voiced a wish to have such as space. One
option might be to use the current Slavic Conference Room, which is a discrete space with a door, is large
enough to hold 20 people, has a large projection screen and wireless capabilities. Others suggested that
students might prefer quiet corners with comfy chairs and tables. Jeff encouraged the team to think about
the types of study activities that will happen in the space and to come up with a couple of plans to
accommodate them.
Question about offices for personnel: Will there be separate offices for librarians and professional staff?
Jeff laid out two possibilities. Option 1: separate offices made of permanent walls with doors and, if
located along an exterior wall, with windows. The cost for a single space would be roughly $50,000.
Option 2: offices constructed of non-permanent half walls (could be quite tall, though) with doors. The
cost for an office of this nature would run around $10,000. Jeff encouraged the team to think about the
various activities performed in the unit when deciding on types of offices; the best solution will be one
that allows the occupants to perform their daily routines effectively and comfortably. However, he did
caution against the more permanent Option 1, as the long term plan calls for the LLL to move to the first
floor. The team should also think about the placement of the office spaces in the new unit.
Question about budget: How much money will we have and how much will refurbishment cost? JoAnn
doesn’t have the exact number for our budget. However, based on figures from this year, she assumes that
there will be approximately $200,000 available, with some funds earmarked from this year’s allocations.
Jeff outlined the needs and costs for refurbishment based on the size of 225, which is 5000 square feet. He
does not see that the LLL will be able to share costs with other units, such as the Area and International
Library, which will be moving into the room directly above the LLL at around the same time. The
estimated needs and costs are:
1. Carpeting will be $100, 000.
2. Painting could be $50,000
3. Lighting—campus will pick up
4. Blinds--$800 per window except for the north windows
5. Power reconfigurations including running a major load fee could be $50,000.
6. Data—probably no need as 225 is already wired
7. Furniture—roughly $5000-10,000 for each staff and librarian space; total of 25,000-50,000.
(Option 2): roughly $150,000-$200,000. (Option 1)
8. Shelves—we can repurpose what we already have from other libraries, such as the cantilever
shelving from the Chemistry Library.
9. Soft seatting—4 chairs and 2 end tables are $6,000; $1,500-2,000.
Jeff encouraged the team to prioritize the needs for the new unit and think about how we can make the
space functional within our budget
Question about door from 225 to hall: Will the public be able to enter and exit through it? Will librarians
and staff? No to both. There would be a fire exit there, but staff would be asked not to use it both
because of the alarm and because people coming and going would encourage patrons to use that
door as well.
Question about the anticipated size of the collection and need for shelving: How many volumes does the
team anticipate will be in the unit? The team is still uncertain about the final number. Librarians and staff
in both the English Library (EL) and the Modern Languages and Linguistics Library (MLLL) are in the
process of evaluating and weeding the collections (more below). There was a question about possibly
using some form of compact shelving. Jeff said that the space will not tolerate the weight of compact
shelving. There is some periodical shelving available from the Chemistry library that could save some
space. Jeff suggests that the team make decisions about the size of the collection in tandem with its
decisions about public space; we should balance the two.
II. Discussion about English collection following up on Prof. Trilling’s concerns (voice in email earlier in
the week) over rumors that the English collection will reduced by 40% in the new unit. Marek explained
the librarians and professional staff in the EL are currently selecting titles for transfer to the Main Stacks
and Oak St. Remote Storage based on criteria that they have established. Selection would be on a title-bytitle basis and every decision carefully considered. These criteria will be appended to the final report.
They should finish their selections by the end of June. He predicted that there might be a 20-40%
reduction. Once the books are flagged faculty from the department will be invited to come and give their
opinions. A question was asked about sending older materials now available online, such as through the
Google Project. While some digital analogs are adequate, many are not and decisions to supplant print
with digital would have to be made through careful comparisons of print and e-texts. Marek asked JoAnn
about money for processing the transfer of books. There may be some and he will request it.
III. Question about the move to the new unit: When will it happen? The most recent plan will be to have
the EL and MLLL move over Winter break 2010-2011. In August, The Slavic Library will be vacated
(Slavic Reference will move to 200D) and room 225 will be refurbished.