RIT Libraries Strategic Plan
Building Improvements
The Library will advocate for grants and other funding to improve the library environment and facility such that it will be more aesthetically inviting, comfortable and ADA-compliant.
Library users have consistently reported that the library is dark, cold, and uninviting. The two least inviting areas of the library are the entrance and the stairwells, which are poorly lit and unattractive, yet library users must go through both of these areas to use the library. Java Wally’s is definitely a comfortable place to relax and have conversations, but the space is not designed for studying, especially late at night. Not all areas of the library are handicapped-accessible; for example, there are not door openers on the library entrance or the restrooms.
With some simple changes of paint and lighting, the library can become a more welcoming, comfortable place to work, meet, and study. Additionally, improvements can be made to the library’s facilities to improve its accessibility to all users.
Improvements would include some or all of the following changes:
- Paint some areas through-out the library in warmer colors (i.e. accent walls).
- Provide more ergonomic study seating.
- Add furnishing and warm “white lights” to specific areas to create ambiance based on the function of the area.
- Advocate to improve lighting in study areas throughout the building.
- Advocate to renovate the lobby.
- Paint the stairwells (possibly murals done by students).
- Advocate for the installation of push buttons for the Library entrance door to allow access for the handicapped into the Library and Java Wally's.
- Advocate for the installation of push button for door to bathrooms.
- Advocate for the installation of a TTY on A level for elevator access.
Some of the elements of the RIT Strategic Plan addressed by this goal include:
Objective C4.2: Dedicated research space and shared collaborative spaces should be allocated for cross-disciplinary interaction and scholarly engagement by faculty, students and staff. Many recent increases in university space allocated broadly to student collaboration, socialization and interaction have reaped obvious and immediate benefits.Objective B4: RIT will intentionally integrate its academic and social communities.
Comments (6 Total)
1. Anonymous | Monday, November 22 3:04 PM
2. Anonymous | Monday, November 29 3:07 PM
Push plates are a great step forward! It's helpful also to make sure a good sized wheelchair can actually fit through the doorways, and that one would have aisle acess, once inside Java Wally's, for example. And that stalls, toilets and sinks are accessible also, once inside. You'd be surprised how many push plates allow someone into an unusable restroom!
3. Anonymous | Monday, November 29 3:37 PM
Isn't it illegal for there NOT to be push plates for the Library.
Accessibility means a lot more than power assisted doors though. The restrooms are only a beginning. Are there accessible workstations? What about the photocopiers?
4. Anonymous | Friday, December 3 11:35 AM
I think you guys have been doing a good job at making the library more attractive -- the Idea Factory, the fish tank, cooler-looking seating. I think more can be done, too, and these ideas are great.
5. Anonymous | Friday, December 3 11:45 AM
I have only worked at RIT for three years, but the improvements to the library have been huge. Java Wally's it a big part of that, but also the Idea Factory and correspondance from the library have been inspiring (even though I don't always have time to attend programs). It seems like a much more interactive, thought provoking place than when I first arrived.
As for the physical space, i like the plans, especially the student murals. We have some amazingly creative students on this campus, especially in CIAS. I don't know why we don't tap those resources more often. The library would be a great place to do that. I've had interesting conversations with Bob Chandler about this and he agrees: Get the students involved!!!
6. Anonymous | Monday, December 6 6:14 PM
I agree that we have a lot of talented RIT students that can contribute to renovating the aesthetics of the Library. Don't forget about the fourth floor--it's very uninviting there too. The lighting on the third floor, on the study area facing COLA, is too dark.
It would be great to see more couches and sofas in different areas of the library, where people can stop and sit for awhile and just chit-chat for a bit. Some students use the library to take naps and it would be nice to have some nice sofa/couches for that reason. In addition, it would be great too if the Library rotate the arts in the building instead of having them as permanent pieces. I am talking about the pieces on the second and third floor.
I like Java Wally's. It's a cool place, but it sucks that they can't accept credit/debit cards though.
Brighten up the downstairs walls too. Some people come in to the library through the lower level door. The lower level is even more uninviting than the first floor entrance.