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
I was very impressed with the doubling of library usage, but the actual statement in the press release is "over 195,000 people visited the library, more than double the number during the same period the year before." I wonder how many of those people were students using the library, compared to visitors touring the renovated premises. I suppose that sounds a bit cynical, but coming at this from a research background, it's hard to avoid checking that apples are being compared to apples.
ReplyDeleteClaire, that's an excellent point regarding how to count the people "using" the library vs those who are just "touring" the new facility!
ReplyDeleteRenovations bring and attract people. Patrons like the idea of something that is being new for example the city I live in El Paso, Texas recently got its first Chipotle restaurant the line was over two hours long. I suspect that once the renovations are not as new attendance will dwindle. I bet the library is hoping that a few patrons stay and continue to use the library.
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