Abstract
Library space has become more and more valuable over time, especially at universities where gate counts increase 3% to 4% each academic year. With circulation numbers and reference questions trending down over the past 10 years, librarians at Clemson University take solace in the ever increasing number of visitors. With this increase in numbers comes overcrowding and insufficient student space. Decisions must be made to alleviate the cramped and inadequate spaces that go along with a 50-year-old library building, the technology of today, and the demands of a savvy student body that will soon be competing in a tight job market. Cooper Library has transformed five spaces over the past six years by repurposing areas designed to hold print reference collections, stacks of bound journals, former staff work areas, and a low technology meeting room. By partnering with campus information technology (IT) on these projects, Cooper Library has brought cutting-edge technology and spaces that equip students with the tools they will need to succeed.
Moving From Reclaiming to Reclaimed: The Big Picture and a Case Study of a Trending Initiative
Library space has become more and more valuable over time, especially at universities where gate counts increase 3% to 4% each academic year. With circulation numbers and reference questions trending down over the past 10 years, librarians at Clemson University take solace in the ever increasing number of visitors. With this increase in numbers comes overcrowding and insufficient student space. Decisions must be made to alleviate the cramped and inadequate spaces that go along with a 50-year-old library building, the technology of today, and the demands of a savvy student body that will soon be competing in a tight job market. Cooper Library has transformed five spaces over the past six years by repurposing areas designed to hold print reference collections, stacks of bound journals, former staff work areas, and a low technology meeting room. By partnering with campus information technology (IT) on these projects, Cooper Library has brought cutting-edge technology and spaces that equip students with the tools they will need to succeed.