UCLA Young Library Renovations and Reaction

The UCLA Young Library has provided its students with “an open, collaborative research commons offers 22 flexible, technology-enabled pods in which students and faculty can utilize library resources, conduct research and work with one another. Holding up to 10 users, each pod contains a large LCD monitor operated by a laptop. Also part of the commons are 15 group-study rooms, a classroom and a laptop lending desk. The research commons has been very popular with both instructors and students, accommodating everything from instructional sessions to office hours to project demonstrations.” (Setzer, 2012).

Also in the library, humanities course are taught to UCLA’s students. The area is equipped with a large-screen rear-projection system and specialized workstations. Another area is a glass enclosed reading room that allows for quiet studying. The library's conference center has expanded to add a spacious, technology-equipped conference room for conferences, film screenings, and large group meetings.

Former staff workspace has been opened up to create a spacious study commons on the lower level. The commons accommodates more than 100 users at tables and in individual chairs.

UCLA seems to have done a fantastic job of providing their users with a space that is comfortable and allows them to work and exchange ideas. From the descriptions given in the articles, I myself would love to go there to study or simply to relax even. I find the use of mainly glass walls to be interesting. So that the users may always see around the library, what is going on, and what is available. UCLA has taken into consideration seemingly all user expectations and a lovely place to house some of the UCLA 9 million volumes of there collective library material.

Reference

Research library renovation. (2012, April 4). Retrieved from http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/researchlibrary/13603.cfm

Setzer, D. (2012, February 23). Ucla young research library renovations completed; usage levels have doubled. Retrieved from http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/research-library-renovations-completed-229453.aspx

Blog Assignment Introduction - Library Choice

For the assignment, I chose the UCLA Young Research library, which underwent complete renovations to the major public spaces in fall 2011 and library usage has double as of its opening. The Young Research Library provides research-level collections, services and facilities for graduate students and faculty in the humanities and social sciences. The renovations comply with environmentally friendly building principles established by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) national rating system.

The UCLA Library has completed renovations to the first floor and lower level of the Research Library. The first phase, which focused on the lower level, was completed in December 2009. The second phase, which focused on the first floor, reopened to users in stages beginning September 19, 2011.

Reference

Research library renovation. (2012, April 4). Retrieved from http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/researchlibrary/13603.cfm

Setzer, D. (2012, February 23). Ucla young research library renovations completed; usage levels have doubled. Retrieved from http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/research-library-renovations-completed-229453.aspx