Sherrod Library News

Photo Gallery: A Summer Sherrod Facelift

Sherrod 309, showcasing a panoramic photo on the new screen

Over the summer, the Sherrod Library underwent several space-specific renovations on every floor of the building. These renovations included everything from technology updates and purchases, to fresh coats of paint and new furniture installations. While some of these projects are ongoing, we are really happy with what was completed over the summer, and hope that it will better serve students, faculty, and staff campus-wide.

The library's instruction room, Sherrod 309, benefited from a major facelift during the summer months with a total technology overhaul completed, and new furniture to come. While the room previously featured two large screens in the front, and several small "breakout" monitors on the walls surrounding, the screens in 309 now are, technically, down to three. This includes one on each side wall, and a central feature display. That said, the feature display is now 5.5' feet tall, by 19.5' feet wide, and capable of displaying up to three separate inputs, with single, widescreen, dual, and triple display options. So while it used to be that both screens in the front of the room had to show the same thing, now, if you want to show a presentation on one side of the display and data visualization in the center, all while keeping a gallery of zoom participants visible to your in-person audience, you are able to do so, zooming in and out of your data while the contextual information remains visible to your audience.

This fall, we at the library are looking forward to discovering new ways to integrate this technology into our library instruction sessions, as well as the ways in which it can support faculty teaching and research. For more information on 309, including how to reserve it for your teaching or research need, click here.

Google Maps Street View shows the high-resolution functionality of the new 309.

A snapshot of the newly renovated reference room

Another major project undertaken this summer was the renovation of the library's reference room, "The Fishbowl." Since 2023, this room has been open as a drop-in, speak-with-a-librarian space, but this summer it got some extra love with a complete remodel. Old cupboards, shelves, and desks were removed, and new paint, flooring, and furniture came in. The space now features a standing-height desk in the front of the room as well as a collaborative workspace in the back for those with a group project or accessibility need. More intentional seating and a sound-dampening privacy divider were also added. This space will be open from 8:00-4:30 Monday through Friday on all days when classes are in throughout the fall semester. Please feel free to drop in or send your students if you have a research help need.

The Contemplation Room in the fourth-floor stacks

After many years of effort, the library opened a contemplative space over the summer. This room, located in the silent study area within the fourth-floor stacks, is designed to be a physical, non-digital area where those in need can ground themselves in the present. The room features soft seating and rocking chairs, and a window with an adjustable shade. The mountain panels are sound dampening, and colored in tranquil blues and grays. Anyone is welcome to use this space as they need it.

Looking at the Graduate School Hallway from the stairwell exit.

Another big change to the Sherrod Library this summer was the renovation of a section of the third floor for the Grad School. The Graduate School offices are now permanent Sherrod residents with a totally remodelled suite of offices and meeting spaces. Be on the lookout for an open house this fall to check out this fantastic new space.