The Library is working with Aaron Cohen Associates (ACA) to plan a redesign and reconfiguration of the John T. Richardson Library to better meet the needs of today\u2019s students and faculty.\u00a0 Richardson Library opened nearly 20 years ago as a traditional, visually distinctive academic library with ample space for quiet study and for the growing print collections.\u00a0 As computing and electronic collections have become core to academic endeavors, computer labs and digitization equipment have been integrated, often awkwardly, into the existing traditional building structure.\u00a0 As DePaul moves forward with the Lincoln Park Campus Master Plan, a redesign of the library to better accommodate collaborative learning and the use of digital resources will enhance the facility\u2019s image and its ability to serve students.<\/p>\n
The ACA consulting firm has worked on numerous academic library redesign projects over its 39 year history, including at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and more recently at Stanford University.\u00a0 During ACA\u2019s first site visit to DePaul in January, the consultants conferred with library staff, students, and faculty to create a visual scan of the current configuration and building use.\u00a0 Interviewees described how they use the library facilities, identified what they find puzzling, frustrating or non-functional, and offered many ideas on what they would like to see changed.\u00a0 The firm\u2019s second visit to DePaul in March will pursue a needs assessment for a learning commons, quiet study, group study, library service points and work space.\u00a0 Phase II of the planning is slated for later this spring and will yield design recommendations and initial cost estimates which will be incorporated into the SRAC budget process over the next 1-2 years.<\/p>\n
Faculty and students who participated in the initial interviews with the library planning firm have been very enthusiastic in their interest in updating DePaul\u2019s library facilities, and the library will continue to involve these key constituencies as planning moves forward.\u00a0\u00a0 Any facility changes will proceed in a phased approach as future funding and scheduling permit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Library is working with Aaron Cohen Associates (ACA) to plan a redesign and reconfiguration of the John T. Richardson Library to better meet the needs of today\u2019s students and faculty.\u00a0 Richardson Library opened nearly 20 years ago as a traditional, visually distinctive academic library with ample space for quiet study and for the growing <\/p>\n