The UC San Diego Geisel Library held a Sept. 27 \u201creveal\u201d of its second-floor renovation updating the flagship building of the university to fulfill the 21st-century needs of its patrons.<\/p>\n
The reveal marked the completion of the Geisel Library Revitalization Initiative, a major effort to transform and revitalize the most heavily-used interior public spaces on floors 1, 2, and 8 to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century students and scholars in an increasingly digital world.<\/p>\n
The initiative aimed to dramatically enhance the user experience in Geisel by creating modern, technology-rich spaces that advance research and learning. The revitalization initiative kicked off in 2016 with the opening of Audrey\u2019s Cafe and continued with the renovation of the 8th floor in 2018, and now this remodel of the second main floor.<\/p>\n
Erik Mitchell, Audrey Geisel University librarian, said the recent renovation has revitalized the building, not only brightening up its space but making it more inviting and user-friendly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the campus continues to expand, we are addressing a much-sought-after need for more space to accommodate the study and collaboration habits of our on-campus and commuter students,\u201d said Mitchell. \u201cThis project redefines how we serve our patrons and creates 7,800 square feet of additional space for them to meet, become inspired, and work together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mitchell said there have been smaller changes to user space in the library building over the years while characterizing this most recent big renovation as \u201ca long time coming\u201d and \u201cone of a kind.\u201d<\/p>\n
The university librarian noted the updated and improved Geisel Library is one of the first libraries in the nation to invest in research data curation. Data\u00a0curation\u00a0is the documentation, management, and preservation of research data to produce datasets that are FAIR: findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.<\/p>\n
Mitchell noted that the actual construction of the third and final phase of the Geisel renovation started in January of this year and was finished in August. He praised the renovated library\u2019s enhanced look and feel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis most recent renovation was really important to help us articulate and implement a new vision for how libraries serve students and the public,\u201d he said. \u201cToday, it is really all about online and point of need \u2013 getting you what you need when you need it. We\u2019re able now to offer 24-hour service to students while quadrupling the amount of space available to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geisel\u2019s head librarian said one of the biggest changes with the new renovation was to move away from the \u201cbig circulation desk\u201d model toward a \u201cpoint of service mobile\u201d model. He added that library patrons, instead of going to a single central service hub, will now be helped by mobile staff able to engage them throughout the facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe vision behind that is to provide a more modern approach to delivering library services, informed by how we like to be helped today,\u201d Mitchell said, citing the library renovation\u2019s new \u201cmeet spot\u201d as a case in point.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe meet spot is a cute little meeting room right in the entrance of the library offering a cozy living room space and showcasing our new books and collections,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cWe\u2019ve also added a gallery and a creative, inspirational space. We have a long history of showcasing collections and exhibits. This is a new place that helps them stand out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another renovated library space, according to Mitchell, is an active learning classroom with space for about 60 students. \u201cIt\u2019s a larger, more flexible, glass-walled room right in the middle of the library,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n
Now that the Geisel Library renovation has finally been closed out, Mitchell said the university will now \u201ctake a step back and reassess what student needs are for the whole campus,\u201d as the library and the university move forward.<\/p>\n
GEISEL LIBRARY RENOVATION<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Changed:<\/p>\n