By EMMA THOR and VICTORIA HONE
Ramapo College of New Jersey plans a $15 million renovation to the institution’s library in the upcoming year.
The George T. Potter Library is in a state of severe neglect and is in serious need of upgrading it’s electrical and technological infrastructure, rehabilitation to rectify water infiltration and mold, furniture and fixture replacement and creating new spaces for group and silent study, according to a task force report. The construction is set to take place between March 18- April 20, 2017.
With a starting proposal of $50 million for state bond funding, the college was awarded a grant of $15 million and intends to supplement the award with fundraising. As part of a potential new “Learning Commons” addition, the newly renovated library must meet the academic needs of students and overcome obstacles such as not losing its existing good features and not detract from the academic priorities of the library as a whole, The Library Task Force reported.
The George T. Potter Library was originally built in 1976 and has remained the primary source for faculty and student research and discovery. The library has had no major upgrades in almost 40 years and serious, existing problems have progressed from the neglect to address these problems.
Its history of water damage, infestations and contamination have resulted in loss of books, artwork and sheet music. The decaying state of the library directly impacts Ramapo’s ability to secure prospective students, and surveys have indicated that students who choose other schools often cite the Potter Library as a reason. While the library houses many unique items, there is inadequate space to safely house it all and the administration’s goal is to provide a space designed for 21st century student and faculty needs.
[VIDEO: Rachael Sontag Reports on Library Repair Plan.]
Students want improved technology
Before the Renovations to the Potter Library started The Library Task Force released a survey to 870 students and 169 faculty and staff.
The Library Task Force consists of two Student Government Association Members, One professor representatives from five academic schools and representatives from the library staff.
There was only 321 responses; 255 students and 66 faculty or staff.
Majority of students want more computers and printers.
Students mostly want the 24/7 hour labs that are only used for work not for a class.
Students want outlets available throughout the library there is limited amount of them in the library.
“Its 2016 technology has advanced to a level where we are not seeing that technology in the library we should have 3D printers ,smartboards, stuff like that,”said Maury Soles, a student said.
With the technology students said in a tweet in Ramapo’s library next to a sign that says wireless support with only one bar of wifi.
There is only one printer in the library and students have to use their user name and password to generate the printer process. On campus the only available ones are the E-lab thats open 24/7 and there are two printers.
During the library’s busiest hours, there is never enough space for students to access ta computer and print their work. Another survey comment noted that the line for the printer becomes excessively long.
[SOUNDSLIDES: View images detailing the library areas needing improvement.]
The lines to use the printer in the computer lab can be as long as well as the wait time to use a computer. Ramapo students said they are in need of more quiet study areas.
According to tweets from the survey: “Why Ramapo decides to do construction in the library during finals week is beyond me.”
The construction process won’t take up final week the library renovations will not be completed until 2017.
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