Joyner Library gets a makeover

Last spring, a library committee was formed to determine what students felt they were lacking in the Joyner Library on campus. The committee enlisted the help of focus groups consisting of students who made it clear that there was not enough room for study groups.

With this knowledge, a 10-page report filled with library recommendations was submitted to the dean of Academic Library Services for approval. Prior to this summer's transition, nearly half of the library's first floor housed reference books and periodicals.

More than 5,000 of those books were moved to the second and third floors, freeing up space for students to study in groups or individually.

In previous years, the middle section of the first floor has housed books and periodicals. Part of the change involved moving some of the older editions to other floors. Nearly one-third of the books were taken upstairs.

Brian Nethercutt, senior, frequents the library to study and work on homework. He has not often had trouble finding study space, individually or for a group, but appreciates the idea of a bookstore feel rather than a computer lab.

There are a few concerns regarding whether or not the library will get too loud from the open area group study, but Brian said, "I'll simply go upstairs if I need to avoid some of the people and commotion."

According to Mark Sanders, head of Reference, efforts were made to "repurpose the first floor to be more responsive to what students wanted and needed."

ECU senior Jeffrey Houston is excited about the changes in Joyner Library. The open space makes the library seem less crowded and more accessible for the students.

Houston, who prefers study areas downstairs to those upstairs, thinks that the changes make it seem like there is more activity in the library, which helps appearances when prospective students come to visit the school.

Some of the computers have been repositioned from the front of the library into the new commons area. The front of the library, which previously stationed over 40 computers, now has 28. The relocation of the remaining computers will occur once administration distributes the budget and the library can install power outlets on the columns and walls.

Byron Smith, senior, has not been to the library since its changes but is curious to find out how it has changed. There have been times in the past where it has been difficult for him to find a group study area. With the knowledge that Joyner Library has added group study areas, he may be more inclined to return to the library in the future.

Michelle Shreve, an ECU sophomore, seconded Smith's sentiment by adding that she has held group study sessions at her house rather than wasting time finding a group study area in the library. The added room could bring about a change in her habits.

One less-than-desirable change to the library is the hours of operation.

In the past, the library stayed open until 2 a.m. during the fall and spring semesters. Monday through Thursday it will close at 11 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Fridays. During the weekends, the library will be open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Erin Trowbridge, a senior nursing major, feels the change in hours gets rid of one of the few quiet places to study on campus.

"I think ECU should make it a priority to provide its students a place that is quiet. Closing at 11 p.m. is too early because students who live in loud places are probably not sleeping during this time. We may as well be productive with ourselves but in order to do so, we need the productive environment," she said.

Two large screen plasma computer stations have been placed in common areas so groups can gather around a screen and not feel crowded. There will also be a large quiet study room ready by the end of September. The room was previously used as an Instructional Technology room for the College of Education.

Once the budget arrives, the library has plans to add two floor model televisions on the first floor where students can take a break from studying to watch news channels with closed captioning.

The circulation desk now holds laptops and camcorders that students previously checked out from the reference center.

"ECU alumni would take more pride in successful students than pretty fountains and agree with students that the library is the last place a budget cut should take place," said Trowbridge.