Bird's Eye View

Stacey Greenwell Highlights Important Changes Coming to Young Library:

In fall 2009, UK Libraries began developing a vision for redesigning the second floor of the William T. Young Library to create a space complementary to the Hub that would serve better the needs of UK students, faculty, and staff. 

The planning process included a series of student focus groups and meetings with library faculty and staff as well as multiple campus partners. 

 We have continued refining that vision over the last several months, keeping in mind the needs expressed by students throughout the planning process. 

With President Eli Capilouto’s focus on increasing the quality of undergraduate education at the university, projects like this which enhance the student learning experience are a high priority.  Today, thanks to the support of UK Libraries donors who have responded generously to our annual fundraising campaigns, we now have the resources needed to begin makeingthis vision a reality.

The first phase of the renovation will include a redesign of the second floor reference area.  A section of the reference desk will be removed to create an open design which is more conducive to reference transactions and consultations.  A variety of seating, tables, and whiteboards will be added around the desk for instruction, collaboration, and study.  This arrangement will extend to the ready reference area to include open and enclosed consultation/small group spaces.

In the second phase, the former current periodicals and microform area in the south wing will be transformed to include three enclosed spaces for consultation, instruction, and group study.   The space will include a variety of seating arrangements for students to work independently or in small groups.  The space will be designed for students to work with laptops with the addition of power outlets and flat panel displays for connecting laptops.

We are finalizing the design and estimates for the project.  We anticipate the newly designed reference area could be complete by spring 2013.