Catching up with time: Tips, tricks, and best practices for library renovations

Abstract

July/August 2015 362 Academic libraries built before the wave of digital and broadband technology rolled in are now required to provide today’s users with advanced technologies and facilities. As a result, libraries are renovating their existing facilities, as well as creating new spaces. Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library (BRL), l o c a t ed on the campus o f Q u e e n s College of the City University of New York, opened i t s d o o r s d u r i n g t h e spring semester of 1988. At the time, t he awa rd winning, sixstory library was “suited to high tech services for years to come.” At its opening, the state-of-the-art facility was lauded for its “advanced technology” and “services of dial-up access . . . to library’s databases.” Nearly 25 years later, the technological advances in formats and access have left the library vastly outdated, unable to meet the current needs for more computer work stations, wireless access, and more comfortable study and lounge areas. In 2008, BRL formed the Rosenthal Improvement Committee to initiate plans to improve the library through a multiphase plan. As our experience may soon be your experience, an overview of the process, and lessons learned, may help you and your institution.