UNCSA HomeYour new library is closer to being a reality! The contract for construction has been awarded and the chosen firm, New Atlantic Contracting, Inc., will begin their work shortly. Completion of the new library is expected in the Summer of 2014. The new library will provide a comfortable, beautiful, and dynamic place for students to study, research, collaborate, and gather for intellectual and artistic interaction. Our students deserve the best environment and collections to support their artistic and academic work and the new library will provide this environment.
Below are a few renderings of the new library from designing architects Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee, along with details of some of the features planned for the building.
The new library facility will provide study rooms that will allow students to work on collaborative projects and research within the library. (The current library has no study rooms). The rooms will vary in size, accommodating 2 to 8 people. Flat screen monitors will be provided to allow students to send computer data and images to a large screen. This will facilitate collaboration using laptops and other devices.
The new library facility will provide students with wireless access throughout the building. Students will also have access to data ports and electrical outlets at study tables, allowing them to charge devices and to easily access the campus network. (The current library does not have the electrical or data port capacity to accommodate this level of service).
Study areas for students will be greatly expanded in the new library.
The new library will provide students with an integrated system that will allow them to efficiently print from library computers and other devices.
The new library will house the UNCSA Archives in a setting that will allow for better research access and preservation of materials.
The new library will allow for the growth of collections in all formats, enhancing student research and supporting their creative endeavors.
In the new library, there will be a small auditorium that will provide full audio-visual support for presentations, meetings, special events, and other campus activities. This auditorium will have a video conferencing capability.
There are two seminar rooms designed for the new library. These rooms will be used by library staff and UNCSA faculty to teach research skills and to instruct students in the use of electronic databases and other online resources. (The current library has no seminar rooms or other types of instructional rooms). Each seminar room will include a “smart board” system that will allow teachers to conduct “real time” instruction in online resources. Each seminar room will also include computers and monitors sufficient for every student in a class to participate in hands-on instruction.
There will be two music practice rooms on the Music and Media floor of the new Library. (The current library has no practice rooms). These rooms will allow students to use a portable keyboard and headphones to more efficiently select music scores since they will be able to play and listen to them before they check them out. This also allows for hands-on study of reference scores in the library.
The new library will provide a group listening and viewing room, where students can listen and watch audio-visual materials as a class or small group. (The current library cannot offer this service).
There will be a portable lecture capture system available for use in the new library. This system will allow classes to be digitally recorded in the seminar rooms. Such recorded classes can allow students in a course to review course material or to catch up on classes missed due to illness or injury. This will enhance students’ learning experience.
In addition, the UNCSA Teaching and Learning Center will be part of the new library. This will include the campus Writing Center, Math Tutoring Center, Learning Assistance program, and English as a Second Language program.