Introduction
With the completion of Phase One of Berry Library construction and Baker Library renovation, the Student Assembly thought it important to gauge student opinion and chose to do so via a campus wide blitz survey. Our survey included the following questions, along with a section for comments:
- Have you been to Berry?
- Have you used Berry, and if so, in what capacity (for studying, checking out books, etc.)?
- What do you like about Berry?
- How would you like to see Berry improved functionally (computing services, circulation, reference services, etc.)?
- How would you like to see Berry improved aesthetically?
- Do you have any additional comments about the Baker/Berry Project?
The Student Assembly received approximately 380 responses, with thoughts of students from every class. Members of the Assembly's Student Life Committee read through each response and created a list of the common and practical recommendations. These recommendations are divided into three headings: Positive Feedback, Suggestions for Services, and Suggestions for Aesthetic Improvements. Many dominant themes arose. Students shared common positive sentiments citing the openness, cleanliness, and spaciousness of Berry. 24-hour study space and the inaccessibility of the print output window were among the most prevalent concerns voiced by students. In terms of aesthetics, many students expressed the sentiment that Berry feels sterile in contrast to the "old world" atmosphere of Baker Library.
On October 17, the Student Assembly unanimously approved to pass along the following student responses. The recommendations that follow reflect student responses and are divided into the three aforementioned subheadings.
Positive Feedback
“I like its fresh feel, almost like a blank canvas, and its capacity to become something that complements Baker”.
--Student, Class of 2004
“Berry seems to be big enough and open enough to allow it to grow with the growing needs of Dartmouth students”.
--Student, Class of 2004
“The atmosphere is quite refreshing. It is something different. The building brings a more modern feel to campus”.
--Student, Class of 2001
|
Students compliment Berry's "open" feeling, spaciousness, and cleanliness, and express enthusiasm about its high quality lighting. Students appreciate the up-to-date technology, especially the inclusion of both Macintosh computers and PCs. The incorporation of both group study rooms and individual carrels provide new alternatives to those study areas already present on campus. In addition, students applaud the increased number of restrooms. Finally, while some students have reservations about Berry in its current condition, they believe that once the construction is completed Berry will be a welcome addition to Dartmouth's resources.
Suggestions for Services
Technology
Many students are frustrated by the location of the print-output window in the building's basement, which is inconvenient for students and their printing needs. Students lament a "ten-minute print-out commute," referring to the inaccessibility of the output window. The output window is not in the proximity of any existing exterior entrance to Berry Library. In order to get to the output window, students must either walk through Baker, or enter through the Novack Café and then travel down a flight of stairs.
Berry's central location makes it an ideal space for a 24-hour print output window. Unfortunately, the current location of the output window is inaccessible to students along their daily routes and is often unavailable during the evening hours when they need it most. A ground-level output window as well as more printers distributed throughout the building would allow students easier access to their printed materials 24 hours a day.
Although students enjoy the increased availability of new computers, they cite a need for more computers for their academic and career planning use. Students want more Blitz terminals and recommend the use of the Library's long counter-tops on each floor near the elevators as a good location. Students also express the importance of computers near the output window.
Additional computer accessories are also very important to students. Students request diskette/zip drives and Ethernet cords available for loan at circulation desks. Students also suggest fax machines and more copy machines throughout the building - in particular, the reference room.
Study space
The current lack of 24-hour study space is a major concern. Novack Café currently provides limited study space. Though it is open 24 hours, students do not feel it is adequate or suitable as the only 24-hour study space on campus. Novack has a café atmosphere that is not conducive to many students' study needs.
Students express a great deal of concern over the temporary loss of two of the most popular study spaces on campus: the 1902 Room and the Reserve Corridor. These rooms are ideal study spaces for many students. The long tables in each room provided a communal atmosphere, room to spread out, and a welcome balance between individual and group studying.
This is one of the most unique things about Dartmouth's culture - people go to study and are generally quite serious about doing so, while in either the '02 room or the Reserves, but they are able to be social at the same time. -- Student, Class of 2001
Students recommend exploring alternative locations for the staff offices that currently occupy the 1902 Room in an effort to re-open the space as soon as possible.
The Reserves were extremely popular as a 24-hour study space. It offers an inviting space for students to study either alone or in groups and provides a good library atmosphere both during the day and at night. Students miss that the Reserves are no longer open past midnight. Guards are usually stationed in the Reserves when it serves as a 24-hour space; these guards could watch the open book area behind the Reserve Desk in order to keep the Reserves open late at night.
Finally, the large computer room adjacent to the Reserves would serve as a fitting solution to student complaints about the current scarcity of 24-hour computing space. This room, directly inside the East entrance to Baker, offers a feasible solution.
Logistics
Access to Berry is problematic for students, particularly those coming from the west side of campus. Additional entrances to Berry (however temporary) would alleviate the problem.
Many students also express concerns for their safety in Berry, especially near the construction site. The addition of campus phones throughout the library, especially in 24-hour spaces (e.g. Novack) would allow students to contact Safety and Security if necessary, as well as make intra-campus telephone calls.
Students express concern about both the Baker and Berry stacks. Currently, books from the Baker stacks must be checked out in Berry. Circulation services should be extended to Baker for checking out books from the Baker stacks.
Students suggest several ways to improve the "user-friendliness" of the Berry stacks. The stacks should be marked on both ends for easier navigation. Presently, those working in the stacks have no spot to place their books or do research. Tables should be placed conveniently near the stacks. Students express concern for safety in the rolling stacks and hope that further precautions be made.
Students like the availability of study carrels but would like to see more. The present number of carrels is limited while demand is high. Students also request study-boards for non-desk studying, similar to those available in Sanborn Library and the Tower Room.
Finally, students note that the toilet paper dispensers are too low and would like to see them raised to a normal level.
Suggestions for Aesthetic Improvement
Furniture and Decoration
Students would like to see artwork and sculpture in the library. Many suggested student-produced and Dartmouth-themed artwork as warm additions to the library. Students also note that wood paneling, desks, and other features that give Baker Library its charm are lacking in Berry. More comfortable, colorful furniture (couches, easy-chairs, etc.) would provide alternative study options and warm the library's atmosphere.
Signage
Many students said that "namesake signage" should be less prominent. The big silver signs indicating "Jones Center" or "Kiewit" are extremely tacky. Many other areas of the library are poorly marked and lack informational or directional signage. When students leave the print output window, they cannot take the side stair case to get to higher floors; yet this is not clear.
Novack Café
Students are generally thrilled that Novack's snack bar is part of the new library. Should Novack serve as a 24-hour space, however, several changes should be made. Additional kinds of furniture should be included in the Café area - bigger tables, more couches, love seats. Students strongly dislike the wallpaper design in the Café area and feel that more muted decorations should be added in its place.
Sights and Sounds
The closing theme song in the library is irritating to many students. Students suggest non-fluorescent lighting, such as desk lamps, as a "softer" alternative to the harsh lights currently in the café.
Conclusion
The Student Assembly's Student Life Committee passes these suggestions along as a comprehensive reflection of general student sentiment. We hope these recommendations are an important component of your review of the changes you plan to make to Baker and Berry.
Service suggestions are among the most pertinent issues at this time, and the Assembly urges you to make solutions to these problems a priority:
- Print Output Window. The current location of the output window makes printing to Berry extremely inconvenient. Moving the location of the output window or adding more printers to ground level locations would alleviate this concern.
- Lost Study Space in '02 Room/Reserve Corridor. These areas are very popular, and students are concerned about this lacking study space in particular.
- 24-Hour Study Space and Printing Services. These services have been essential to students in the past, and many have come to rely upon them in their daily routines. Many feel that the availability of these services is imperative to their academic success.
- Access to Berry. Entering Berry from the west side of campus is extremely difficult. While construction may prevent permanent access from the west side, temporary access would be a vast improvement.
- Addition of Campus Phones. Campus phones are essential for the safety of students, especially during construction, as entrances are less easy to access and lighting around the site is temporary and often inadequate.
Students understand that the Berry construction and Baker renovations are still works-in-progress. Many students are optimistic about the final product but would appreciate attention to the immediate concerns outlined above.
Finally, it would be useful for the Assembly to receive an approximate timeline for the completion of Phase I and Phase II, so that the Assembly can be informed of the Project's progress.
On behalf of the Student Assembly, we thank you for your active interest in student feedback on the Baker/Berry Project. We look forward to hearing your response to this report and hope to continue working with you on this feedback campaign.
Erica Berman '03,
Alex Rich '03,
Mia Yocco '03,
Molly Stutzman '02
Chair, Student Life Committee
|
|
