By snoadmin
There will be limited to no access to all of the books on the second and third floors – which is approximately 66 percent of the total amount of books in the University Library – starting mid-March, according to Henry DuBois, administrative services librarian.
According to DuBois, in mid-March when Phase II of the library renovation project begins, the unavailable floors’ books will be “encapsulated” with some sort of material to protect them from the construction being done to the surrounding areas.
Some of the books may be attainable by “trained professionals” to ensure safety, said Sara Sluss, associate dean of the University Library.
“We urge students and faculty to think about what titles they might need during the remainder of the semester and to check out those books now,” DuBois said.
Sue Brown, director of Physical Planning, said, “Construction problems, if any, were due to soil conditions, but these were resolved and we moved on.”
Roman Kochan, the library dean, was unavailable for comment to answer construction delays.
Student reaction to the pending inaccessibility of two-thirds of the library’s total books has been one of frustration.
“I am disappointed in how the school is handling this,” said Matt Hasty, a microbiology junior. “We have a new Starbucks before we have [a] floor where we can study.”
Janna Bock, a sophomore studio art major, said she is glad she is done with most of her general education classes so she doesn’t need to use the library as much. “I used to like to go in there and study, but it’s not the same anymore.”
After the two floors close, the books that are inaccessible may be requested through LINK+, which allows students and faculty to request books from 40 California and Nevada libraries in partnership with Cal State Long Beach.
Items sent to CSULB via LINK+ may arrive within four days of ordering and are held for pick-up for a maximum of 10 days, according to the University Library Web site. Renewals are available but are time-restricted.
According to Sluss, even though greater numbers of students are expected to use LINK+ with the University Library’s books being prone to limited access, the usual time period of four days wait will not change. By contract, the materials nevertheless are scheduled to arrive within four days.
According to Sluss, the delivery speed also depends on the response at the other end, and a courier service is used to ensure a quick delivery time.
Some have found LINK+ to be useful, yet limited. “LINK+ is a powerful tool, but it takes several days – if you can even get it,” said Christine Bratford, a junior biochemistry major. “The closure is a considerable inconvenience.”
However, Robert Thayer, professor of psychology, said this causes a real disruption.
“We still have inter-library loan, but that has limitations and takes time,” he said.
As a professor, Thayer has put some books on reserve for his students, but he advises them to check books out now and renew if necessary.
“It should be corrected by summertime, but who knows,” Thayer said.
Bradley Zint contributed to this report.
