This article was written by a student of ENGL 2310: Intro to Journalism, which is taught by Mike Pulley.
Renovations have come to Cooper Library in the form of new carpet, expanded study spaces and the addition of interactive screens. Renovations impacted the entire library, but the major changes occurred on the third and sixth floors.
“The changes have made it much easier to find a spot to study, whether I am alone or with friends,” Addison Cox, a senior world cinema major, said. “It feels more efficient and I do not have to worry about being cramped while studying for my big exams.”
Over the last few years, the library has seen a steady rise in student traffic. According to the university’s website, Clemson houses nearly 20 thousand undergraduate students and just over 5,000 graduate students, which has increased the traffic on campus tremendously. With the acceptance rate of the university slowly rising and more students choosing Clemson, the university faced a problem: study spaces on campus were becoming more crammed, leaving less room for students to study.
One of the first steps Clemson took was in the spring of 2018 when the library began to remove shelving on the third floor to provide more tables and study spaces for students. This did create more room, but a large part of the problem remained. The university also added a fresh coat of paint to different parts of the library in 2018. Major renovations did not begin until the end of the 2018-2019 school year when it was announced that the third and sixth floors of Cooper Library would be getting a makeover. The university’s libraries page announced that both floors would be getting new paint and carpet renovations, along with the removal of several shelves of books on both floors. In return, the university would provide additional furniture and technology to go along with the new study spaces.
These renovations were completed in mid-October, with the last bundle of tables and chairs being added over fall break along with the installation of interactive screens across the library and one outside the main entrance. The library also created a new Makerspace on the fifth floor near the Adobe Digital Studio, which includes 3-D printing, T-shirt printing, laser cutting and more. Students have access to the Makerspace, but they must complete a module on Canvas before receiving access.
On Oct. 16, the library officially opened its new additions to students with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. President Jim Clements and Dean of Libraries Christopher Cox were both in attendance. The changes have proved notable so far and have received positive feedback.
Addison Cox said the new layout “makes the library less stressful.” Cox also added how hard it has been to find seating at the library during her first three years on campus, but this year, that has changed.
Additional study spaces can now be found in other buildings as well, including the Hendrix Student Center, Watt Innovation Center and within major academic buildings such as Brackett, Lee and Sirrine Hall. Additional study space will also come with the completion of the new School of Business coming in the fall of 2020.
More changes may come, but for now it seems the university has solved one of the problems currently facing it, and those changes definitely came in handy this past finals week.
