Jessica Wright
Sports editor
Most faculty and students have seen and heard the work in progress for the upcoming library addition. However, when the library will be finished is still unknown. Regardless, faculty and staff excitement is growing.
DeWayne Williams, interim director of library services, said the library addition has been 10 years in the making. Williams states that many people have been involved to make this project happen. Sources ranging from various foundations to Shorter alumni have all contributed to the funding drive.
“We are all grateful to every one of these people because they’re the ones who made it possible,” said Williams.
Not only will this 18,000 square foot add-on contain 35,000 additional books, but it will also have a café/dining area, a fireplace, wireless Internet and many places where students can go to study.
The library has a feeling of spaciousness, according to Williams. He says the space will be a great arena for students to spend time together.
“I want it to be a place where students want to go,” Williams said. “There are many places where they can study by themselves as well as in groups.”
Dr. Craig Shull, Shorter’s provost, agrees with the excitement about the extra space the library addition will bring.
“I’m proud to say we’ve had tremendous growth in the student body in the last several years, but that means general meeting spaces are difficult to find,” Shull said. “So what we’ve tried to do is create the library with a lot of space.”
Shull stated that though this will not solve all of the school’s space issues, it will be a step in the right direction. He believes the addition will connect students to the library area.
“As the provost, I’m concerned that the students don’t see the library as that ‘ole repository of books,’ but that it’s actually a great learning place.”
Williams wants to give students a place where they can be able to do their own research, but says he and the other librarians will also be there to help.
Shull expounded, saying, “We’ve got some great librarians, and they’ll bend over backwards to help you. They will actually show you how to do the research, where to get started and just really work with you.”
So when will the racket of construction end? Students everywhere, especially those residing in Cooper Hall or those who frequently use the library, look forward to not only the ending of the noise, but also to the ending of all of their curiosities concerning the addition.
“It will be nice not to be woken up every morning by the sound of construction,” said Jamie Thomas, freshman early childhood education major. “I’m very curious what it will look like completely finished.”
Completion will be anytime between late spring and early fall, according to Williams. To see updates on the current status of the library, visit Shorter’s library facebook page.
