Feb. 17, 2006

New library may not be necessary

By JAKOB LOUKAS
jkl001@marietta.edu

Plans for the new library have been floating around since Winter break. Of course, everyone has heard of the generous 10 million dollars that Laura Baudo Sillerman and Robert Dyson have donated to the project. These two alumni are responsible for the wonderfully appointed (and aptly named) Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. Such generosity and dedication to Marietta College is commendable, laudable, and appreciated, I am sure, by the many students who use the Center on a regular basis. Surely, the fabulous new library will also add sophistication, technology (that works, hopefully) and, well, chic to the mundane pursuit of academic excellence.

Allow me to summarize the plans for the new library. The library, expected to cost a cool 20 mil, will be completed by Spring 2009, provided that all goes well. Once this costly cache of books opens its doors, students will enter a three story, 62,600 square foot repository of knowledge. The new library would include a learning center, archives, 24 hour student study space, performance spaces, classrooms, and a café. Oh, and some books as well. It sounds to be an impressive, ambitious addition to our campus.
But is it really necessary?

The library now is certainly not in bad shape.  The facilities are in good condition, it already stands three stories, and it has study areas though they may be under utilized. The technology satisfies even if the computers lag.  Most students complain about the library materials, not the library itself. 

Future students will appreciate the Borders they’re building on campus, but those of us who might find ourselves climbing the stairs to the dingy top floors of Mills will certainly not.

Dr. Anderson, library director said that the new library is necessary to bridge the gap between social and academic life at Marietta.  The picture he painted was inspiring: students working 24/7 in modern facilities customized to their needs, and small groups drinking coffee, while perfecting their power point presentation.  But, until that distant point in the future, library materials will be housed in Mills, Thomas, and special collections may be stored as far away as Cleveland.  Students will still have access to all these materials, though it may force procrastinators to think ahead when looking for that one of a kind book, perfect for tomorrow’s history essay.

The new library will improve Marietta College, but may not be the most necessary of improvements.  Current MC students will interact with the communications department a lot more in the coming semesters and new students can look forward to extravagant facilities.

Maybe when somebody gives you $10 million, you just smile and nod.  That is exactly what we did.