 

STAFF RESOURCES

Rutgers University Libraries Strategic Plan For Facilities
January 2005

The Rutgers University Libraries strategic goal for facilities confirms the concept of library as place in the context of the 21st century. Libraries' roles are continuously evolving at the same time that key functions are maintained. The increasing use of technology is ubiquitous and space iwill be needed, not only for patrons, but also for staff who are working in new arenas including the creation of our RUL Repository and innumerable digital projects. As libraries increasingly become collaborators with academic departments in the creation of information we will need spaces to create and store this output. Students will continue to view libraries as a refuge. We therefore need to create environments which are conducive to study, learning, and work. Patrons will need spaces reflective of their differing study styles as well as often requested spaces such as cafés and computer laboratories. Libraries must continue to be responsive to the changes in teaching methodology in the academy. Professors are increasingly assigning group projects over individuals ones. Therefore all our libraries need many more group studies. Librarian's roles as teachers will continue to increase. This will be especially true as new Middlestates criteria for information literacy are carried out. So it is imperative that libraries have well appointed information handling laboratories. Within the University, libraries are seen as cultural centers. As such the buildings should provide spaces for exhibits and lectures. In order to be welcoming environments, all libraries should be well maintained. While the libraries' collections are not growing exponentially due to shifting resources and the rise in the cost of publishing, space will still be needed to address serious deficiencies in the infrastructure for collection support. Among these are a lack of space to receive and evaluate gifts; rare book and archive storage; space to conduct preservation projects; and space to meet the shelving needs of many of our libraries which are already filled to capacity.

To accomplish this strategic goal, listed below are specific objectives to be accomplished. The first are generic and apply to all libraries and then are listed specific building proposals.

In the next five year all libraries should have their facilities upgraded with the following:

1. The Rutgers University Libraries Preservation Center

In order to create the space needed in libraries throughout the University the most cost effective way is to put an addition to the annex of high density storage for little used books, rare materials and university archives. Our very special collections such as the Institute of Jazz Studies and Special Collections and University Archives can not accept large important collection due to lack of space. It is envisioned that the Preservation Center would also contain a receiving area to receive and inspect collections, a room for librarians to review materials, a processing room with supply storage, and a state-of-the-art conservation center with specialized equipment, storage and ventilation. There will be a computer room conforming to current standards for a main distribution facility(MDF) for the router, servers, UPS and mass storage devices that comprise the Rutgers repository as well as work areas for staff.

2. D21: The Douglass Library for the 21st Century. Finish Phase II and III.

The last two phases include the finishing of the Margery Foster Center which will house a digital archive center, the development of a Women's and Gender Resource Room, and the development of the Music Library into a performing library of the 21st century. The later will house more space for collections, graduate carrels, two seminar rooms, a computer lab for the performing arts, an enhanced and enriched media department, and a rare book area. For undergraduate students there will be many group studies, a large information handling laboratory, and improved study space. In addition there will be public space to hold small events.

3. Dana Library. An Academic/Social Space for Learning at Rutgers-Newark

Here we will develop a new space on the third floor that is responsive to the rapid changes in information technologies, combined with a new emphasis on collaborative learning, on cutting-edge digital library development, and on community outreach. The space will be wireless and contain networked open study areas which are inviting and safe and which have both lounge and carrel seats; group study rooms with interactive whiteboards and monitors; a large multipurpose room; a seminar room; large and a small information handling labs; a Digital Media Lab with state-of-the-art workstations and facilities to enable the development of a digital jazz library as well as a world jazz portal. The facility will also house the Camoes Institute for Portugese Language and Culture, a multipurpose Jazz Café as well as archival storage. The plan also calls for compact storage of the existing Dana Library collection

4. Robeson Library Renovations.

The Robeson Library critically needs several upgrades to the facilities to meet the academic needs of students and faculty. Most prominent is the addition of at least 10 group study rooms for 4-8 students and upgrading of the furniture which is dated and in disrepair. Another need is the addition of compact shelving in the basement. The collection is an excellent undergraduate collection which is heavily used by students throughout the system. The collection is so tight in certain ranges that there is a one book in one book out dictum. In the future windows need to be replaced or upgraded in the 1970 addition.



 
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