By Lena Sweet | Staff Writer
The McKillop Library, after undergoing a number of extensive changes due to the relocation of the Academic Center for Excellence, re-opened its 2nd and 3rd floors to students on September 22nd.
Because the Academic Center for Excellence moved to the 2nd floor of the library, the library’s main collection was moved to the 3rd floor. To accommodate the organization of this collection into a much smaller space, new compact bookshelves were installed. Olga Verbeek, acting Director of McKillop Library, feels as if the new shelving has increased study space and lessened noise on the 3rd level. “The compact flooring has broken up the space,” said Verbeek, “There’s more space available and I think, on a whole, it’s quieter.”
The library has also implemented an online system for reserving study rooms. Students can book study rooms from their computers or cell phones using their names and library barcodes. The study rooms can be reserved for up to 6 hours per day, 7 days a week. According to Verbeek, many students are already taking advantage of this user-friendly system. Those who are interested in scheduling a library study room can do so at following link: http://mckillop.salve.edu/studyroom-booking.cfm?key=today
The Academic Center for Excellence, which is now located on the 2nd floor of McKillop Library, provides students with a number of programs and services such as subject tutoring, Disability Services, an English for Academic Purposes program and a writing center. The newly renovated ACE is open to students from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from Monday – Friday. Tutoring services are available from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm from Monday – Thursday and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Sundays.
Verbeek also mentioned a future library addition: a computer bar. “We’re planning on putting in a computer bar, an area where you can just sit with your computers and charge up.” According to Verbeek, students might return to this addition after winter break.
Verbeek encourages students to take advantage of these new resources and all that the library has to offer. “I hope that the students come in and, you know, talk to a librarian if they have any problems. We’re here to help, of course. This sounds like a normal spiel, but it’s really true. We really would like to help everybody.”
