by Jordan Houser
This summer, Capital University transformed Blackmore Library into a 21st century information and technology center. Renovations began directly following the close of spring semester. The short summer break made hastening the construction necessary.
“There was a committee that came together in the planning phases to envision what they wanted for the future. But once plans were ready to go, they really accelerated the process” Nichole Johnson, Director of Media and Communications, said.
The furniture and offices were moved May 7. This meant that an excess of 17,000 books had to be boxed and stored until renovations were complete. Construction began the following week, wherein precautions were taken to ensure safety of the Bexley community. The construction crew implemented containment barriers until materials that contained asbestos were removed.
“When I left for the summer, I was excited to come back in the fall and see everything that was to be done to the library,” third-year political science major Corey Ansel said. “Of all the places on campus, the library needed it. It was archaic.”
The most noticeable of the improvements is the new central Information Desk, immediately visible upon crossing through the south entrance. This desk acts as the center of Blackmore Library and offers circulation, reference, and Information Technology help.
There are also new group study and collaboration spaces, an increased size of the 24-hour study room and replacement furniture for students. New doors were installed in the south entrance and an additional entrance to the library was added from Main Street. This entrance is designed to invite in members of the Bexley community.
As many students have experienced, the recent closing of Kern Religious Life Center led to a lack of classroom spaces. The planning committee also took the renovations as an opportunity to rectify this issue. Classroom spaces were added on the both the first and second floors of the library.
All renovations have not yet been completed. University officials still intend to add a snack bar, complete with a café leisure area.
Totaling upwards of $1.3 million, these renovations are a significant portion of Capital’s financial budget. This allocation was awarded with the intent to improve student study space, while ushering in a more technologically modern era for Capital University.
This is not the first time that a major renovation has been done to a university library. In 1914, the university founded Rudolph Memorial Library. Students today may recognize this building as the Kerns Religious Life Center.
The 1958 Board of Trustees recognized an urgent need for library space and commissioned a move for constructing an additional facility. By 1970 the library was completed and christened Blackmore Library as an adage to the university’s twelth president, Josiah Hillerman Blackmore. Like our recent renovation, the completed building totaled $2.3 Million.
Not all students are convinced the renovations are improvements, however.
“It’s aesthetically pleasing, but [it] can make you want to pull your hair out too. I’ve seen many students walk out the back door thinking it’s the way to the fountains,” Thomas Ballas, junior, said.
Students have also expressed concern for the efficiency of the refurbished study areas.
“There just aren’t enough outlets,” Jordan Helmer, senior, complained.
Completion of the renovations is expected throughout the next few weeks.
