Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / May 5, 2005, edition 1 / Page 15
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JULUM Thursday, May 5, 2005 vPage 15 The most common complaint: Not enough computers Not having enough computers in the library is one of .the most'common complaints among students. there are about 120 computers in the library and 40 laptops available through Media ^rvices. “Students are always ■ saying there aren t enough computers,” Hickey ^d. “The truth is there ^ plenty of computers on campus in other labs, but many people just prefer Belk. We could probably double the number of computers (in the library) and still not have enough.” Adams said that one of her ^ncems is that many students aren’t aware that there are other computer labs available on campus. The computers in the library fill and stay full, she said. “I’d like students to know that there are other labs with available computers.” For more informa tion on other computer labs, visit ^ttp://>vww.elon.edu/org/helpdesk/ ComputerLabs.htm. To try to combat the problem of computer avail ability, Hickey said that she and other library staff wiembers are woridng to install a system that would ^low students to print from wireless laptops con- l^ected to the Elon network. She hopes that by mak ing the printers more available to students, the demand for computers will not be as high. “The way It is now, we could only find space for six to 10 more computers,” she said. “Sometimes the demand is Actually for more computers connected to the print ers, so hopefully the wireless system will ease that problem somewhat.” Bowman also said that the libranans try not to make reservations for the com puter lab in Belk. “We make every effort to make as computers available as possible,” he sad. “We especially don’t schedule anything at night. ^hat is the joccuponcy of Belk? According to Hickey there is no specific occu pancy of Belk. She said that if one were to count every available seat, theoretically there would be about 570 seats in the building. However, that Would mean counting every chair, every seat on the Ouches and assuming six people to be in ea^ ^^dy room. “We’re certainly busy” Hickey said. ^ut We never have as many as 570 people in the building at once.” During most days, Hickey said the first floor ^ways stays busy but the second and third floors ^ quieter. However, from 7 p.m. to midnight most Sundays through Wednesdays, Hickey sai library is pretty close to capacity. “Those evenings, you could call the library full,” she ^d. ^ut the crowd really falls off after midnight. Elon's libraries over the years Previous to Belk, Elon’s library was located in McEwen, which is now the Communications build ing. Before that, the library was located in Carlton. To compare, Belk is 75,000 square feet, whereas the McEwen library was only 29,000 square feet Belk has approximately 160 computers, while the McEwen library had ot)ly 36. However, Hickey said that five years ago (when the McEwen library was still being used), people weren’t using computers as much as they are now. The McEwen library also had no writing center, tutoring center or Media Services. “We brought all of these into one place in Belk,” Hickey said. “It’s great to have them all together, but of course, they take up space.” Michelle Murphy/ Photographer Opened in 2000, Belk Library is 75,000 square feet, has 570 seats, 120 computers and 40 laptops, is home to the writing center, tutor ing center and Media Services. Original design and further expansion Plans for Belk Library were initially sent to architects nine years ago, and construction was completed in 1999 for the library to ofRcially open in 2000. Hickey said that the increase in Elon’s aca demic quality put pressure on the library, and it was clear that a bigger facility was needed. “The univer sity has put a lot of money into bettering the library,” she said. According to Hickey, the library cost $14 million to build, and the university has continually increased spending on library resources. “They’ve been spending $1,5 million on library resources per year,” she said. “This has grown by more than $100,000 a year for the past five years.” Plans for the future: Paying for printing? According to Hickey, the university is looking to begin using part-recycled paper and to implement a print management system, mainly to cut down on waste rather than to make money. The system would woric by charging students for each sheet printed past a certain number of sheets. However, Hickey said that students shouldn’t necessarily be automatically concerned. “I would expect the num ber of finee sheets per semester to be very gener ous,” she said. “Our hope is that the average student doing average work won’t have to pay a penny.” Other Computer tabs Alamance 315 Chandler 103B Danieley Center Commons Digital Art Lab, CFA Duke 303 Long 113 McEwen 002 McEwen 108 McEwen 205 McMichael320 Mooney 201 Mooney 202 Powell 213 Contact Alana Dunn atpendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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May 5, 2005, edition 1
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