NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 25 number 3 - Spring 2005

• Computer Workstations
• Ground Floor Reading Room
• West Wing, First Floor
• Bookstacks, Levels 2, 5, and 6
• Reference Desk--West Wing, First Floor
• Interlibrary Services--East Wing, Ground Floor
• Map Collection--East Wing, Ground Floor
• Special Collections Research Center--East Wing, Ground Floor

The Reference Desk is now located to the left of the main circulation lobby, on the first floor of the West Wing. A small collection of key reference books is shelved here, and the majority of the reference collection is on Bookstacks Level 6 near the patron computers.

Patron computing has been relocated, and there are now more workstations than previously. Forty-three workstations are located near the Reserve and temporary Reference Desks in the West Wing; seventeen on Bookstacks Levels 5 and 6; nine on Bookstacks Level 2; and fourteen in the Ground Floor Reading Room.

Many of the patron workstations are now SunRay thin clients (see "NCSU Libraries Gets Thin"). These thin clients offer the advantages of low power consumption and cost, allowing them to be deployed in areas of the building without adequate power for the same number of computers.

Computer workstations are now much more widespread in the D. H. Hill Library. Keeping users connected with librarians is a challenge in this environment. In addition to signs reminding users that they can use cell phones to call the Reference Desk, the library has developed a new "PageUs" service for library workstations. A link connects the user to a chat window where they can request help. Librarians are able to see the location of the workstation that is calling for assistance and go to the user directly, even if the workstation is floors away.

While the first floor of the East Wing will be inaccessible during construction, the other floors of the East Wing will remain open most of the time. The Special Collections Research Center and Interlibrary and Document Delivery Services are now on the ground floor of the East Wing, as is the Map Collection. The units on the second floor of the East Wing will remain accessible throughout most of the renovation, including the Digital Media Lab, Learning Technology Service, Microforms Center, ITTC Labs, and Friends of the Library.

Because of delays in completing the construction drawings, the first floor of the East Wing is expected to be accessible through the spring 2005 semester, and study seating will remain there until construction begins after exams. Library users have quickly adapted and are using this space to capacity. The NCSU Libraries appreciates the university community's patience in keeping up with these changes and establishing new patterns of use.

Throughout this process, the library will continue to use space as flexibly as possible. As the renovation progresses, library staff and users will need to adapt to unpredictable schedules and constraints, but the end result will be a much more attractive and well-equipped facility.