Belated $12.2 million library falls short of expectations
January 19, 2016
De Anza students are abuzz about the newly renovated library’s grand opening. As a student who has never seen the previous library, I set out to see if the new library reflected its $12.2 million price tag.
On first impression, the new library is a big miss on all things interior design. As students, we sit inside of white-walled classrooms all day, and now we are treated to the same lackluster view in our library.
The gray color schemes throughout the building from the carpet, wall colors, frosted glass on the stair railings, tapestries hung on the wall and furniture leave very little to stimulate the mind of students. The only vibrant pop of color comes from the side paneling on the book stacks, which look outdated.
The lack of outlets is also a problem. Outlets are only provided on designated desks or along the outer walls of rooms. If students wish to sit on the center couches, they are left with uncomfortable seating, as the lack of desks in this area hinders studying. While the seating arrangement is a plus for students, I still find myself wishing there were more desks and fewer couches.
Library coordinator Tom Dolen said, in comparison to the old library, the new renovations encourage a positive study environment. The new collaboration and group-study rooms make exciting additions compared to the old, poorly lit rooms, he said.The library now has 11 brightly lit group study rooms. Most of them have large monitors students can plug computers into.
“We’ve opened it up so there’s more collaboration room,” Dolen said. “Before it was just desks and chairs and study carrels. Now there’s a variety of options for people to study alone or to form groups and study together.”
The divided funds during the renovations surely have been put to good use. I lessened my critical eye to the aesthetic of the building and saw it more for the functionality that it provided for students. Gray walls aside, I highly recommend students take advantage of the new library as a place to study.