University says interim study space will meet student needs

By Megan O'Connor

New and returning students will have study spaces available during construction of the new library, but administrators say that space will be tight during the busiest periods.

"We think that we'll handle most of the demand we will have, except at the really peak period," Ron Danielson, chief of information services, said, referring mainly to finals week.

Library study spaces will be divided among several locations on campus. The Interim Library, a series of grey portables located between Buck Shaw Stadium and the parking structure near the entrance of campus, will be the main library for the next two years.

Nobili Hall, the former Jesuit residence building which now houses 65 current residents on the upper floors, will also house library space starting Oct. 9, according to Danielson.

Nobili was initially slated to open the first week of school, but moving Jesuit residents to a new home across from campus and some construction problems have delayed the opening.

Sherwin Pinto, an employee at the library circulation desk, said the Interim Library was used quite a bit over the summer and anticipates that the Interim Library will be hectic this school year.

"The Interim space does not have enough space for everyone to study," he said. "Hopefully Nobili Hall will suffice."

During the renovation of the library section in Nobili, asbestos, a cancer-causing insulation substance commonly found within older buildings, was released from the walls, requiring removal.

Additionally, the number of data and power ports available for student use had to be expanded, causing delays in different construction efforts. "Coordinating that has slowed us down," Danielson said.

The university has also shuffled spaces around campus to provide for extra student study areas. While lounges within Swig Hall have been converted to student housing, public study space is available in the Kennedy Commons, on the first floor of Casa Italiana and on the second floor of Benson Memorial Center.

Computers from the Orradre computer lab have also shuffled around campus, and 14 computers have been added to a study room in upstairs Benson.

While the university has tried to keep students informed through regular e-mails on progress and a weekly blog by Danielson, incoming students and parents still had questions.

"My biggest concern as a parent is do they have space to study outside of their living quarters?" asked David Heitkamp, parent to an incoming freshman.

Administrators have set up plans to accommodate students' needs during the busiest times of the quarter. The Benson Memorial Center parlors and Williman Room will be open during finals, for example.

"We will be monitoring seats and students complaints very closely," Danielson said. "Between the Interim Library and Nobili, 60 percent of the study space is available that was in Orradre."

But not all of that space is available now. The layout of Nobili Hall has not been finalized, but roughly 400 seats will be available between the two locations, according to Danielson.

While an exact number could not be provided, a count by The Santa Clara found 140 seats available in the Interim Library. Orradre had 996 seats available.

Administrative offices for the library have been relocated to the second floor of the Leavey Center, and will remain there until the new library's completion.

Sophomore Orientation Leader Hannah Leatz said she was frequently asked questions about the Interim Library by parents. "There were parents who were concerned about it," said Laetz. Additionally, Laetz said a lot of parents who have students in the Graham Complex voiced concerns about construction noise.

"A lot of the parents who have students living in Graham are concerned," said Leatz.

However, not everyone is stressing over the loss of Orradre's study environment and the musical chairs of student study space for the year.

"I don't study at the library," senior Amy Moran said. "I study at Starbucks and Mission City Coffee."

Contact Megan O'Connor at (408) 554-4852 or moconnor@scu.edu.