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Student Response to Baker/Berry Project Phase I

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Document Date: 
Oct 21 2001

Introduction

With the completion of Phase One of Berry Library construction and
Baker Library renovation, the Student Assembly thought it important to
gauge student opinion and chose to do so via a campus wide blitz
survey. Our survey included the following questions, along with a
section for comments:

The Student Assembly received approximately 380
responses, with thoughts of students from every class. Members of the
Assembly's Student Life Committee read through each response and
created a list of the common and practical recommendations. These
recommendations are divided into three headings: Positive Feedback,
Suggestions for Services, and Suggestions for Aesthetic Improvements.
Many dominant themes arose. Students shared common positive sentiments
citing the openness, cleanliness, and spaciousness of Berry. 24-hour
study space and the inaccessibility of the print output window were
among the most prevalent concerns voiced by students. In terms of
aesthetics, many students expressed the sentiment that Berry feels
sterile in contrast to the "old world" atmosphere of Baker Library. On
October 17, the Student Assembly unanimously approved to pass along the
following student responses. The recommendations that follow reflect
student responses and are divided into the three aforementioned
subheadings.

Positive Feedback

“I like its fresh feel, almost like a blank canvas, and its capacity to become something that complements Baker”.

--Student, Class of 2004

“Berry seems to be big enough and open enough to allow it to grow with the growing needs of Dartmouth students”.

--Student, Class of 2004

“The atmosphere is quite refreshing. It is something different. The building brings a more modern feel to campus”.

--Student, Class of 2001


Students compliment Berry's "open" feeling, spaciousness, and
cleanliness, and express enthusiasm about its high quality lighting.
Students appreciate the up-to-date technology, especially the inclusion
of both Macintosh computers and PCs. The incorporation of both group
study rooms and individual carrels provide new alternatives to those
study areas already present on campus. In addition, students applaud
the increased number of restrooms. Finally, while some students have
reservations about Berry in its current condition, they believe that
once the construction is completed Berry will be a welcome addition to
Dartmouth's resources.

Suggestions for Services

Technology
Many students are frustrated by the location of the
print-output window in the building's basement, which is inconvenient
for students and their printing needs. Students lament a "ten-minute
print-out commute," referring to the inaccessibility of the output
window. The output window is not in the proximity of any existing
exterior entrance to Berry Library. In order to get to the output
window, students must either walk through Baker, or enter through the
Novack Café and then travel down a flight of stairs. Berry's central location makes it an ideal space for a
24-hour print output window. Unfortunately, the current location of the
output window is inaccessible to students along their daily routes and
is often unavailable during the evening hours when they need it most. A
ground-level output window as well as more printers distributed
throughout the building would allow students easier access to their
printed materials 24 hours a day. Although students enjoy the increased availability of new
computers, they cite a need for more computers for their academic and
career planning use. Students want more Blitz terminals and recommend
the use of the Library's long counter-tops on each floor near the
elevators as a good location. Students also express the importance of
computers near the output window.
Additional computer accessories are also very important to
students. Students request diskette/zip drives and Ethernet cords
available for loan at circulation desks. Students also suggest fax
machines and more copy machines throughout the building - in
particular, the reference room.

Study space
The current lack of 24-hour study space is a major concern.
Novack Café currently provides limited study space. Though it is open
24 hours, students do not feel it is adequate or suitable as the only
24-hour study space on campus. Novack has a café atmosphere that is not
conducive to many students' study needs.
Students express a great deal of concern over the temporary
loss of two of the most popular study spaces on campus: the 1902 Room
and the Reserve Corridor. These rooms are ideal study spaces for many
students. The long tables in each room provided a communal atmosphere,
room to spread out, and a welcome balance between individual and group
studying.
This is one of the most unique things about Dartmouth's
culture - people go to study and are generally quite serious about
doing so, while in either the '02 room or the Reserves, but they are
able to be social at the same time. -- Student, Class of 2001
Students recommend exploring alternative locations for the
staff offices that currently occupy the 1902 Room in an effort to
re-open the space as soon as possible.
The Reserves were extremely popular as a 24-hour study space.
It offers an inviting space for students to study either alone or in
groups and provides a good library atmosphere both during the day and
at night. Students miss that the Reserves are no longer open past
midnight. Guards are usually stationed in the Reserves when it serves
as a 24-hour space; these guards could watch the open book area behind
the Reserve Desk in order to keep the Reserves open late at night.
Finally, the large computer room adjacent to the Reserves
would serve as a fitting solution to student complaints about the
current scarcity of 24-hour computing space. This room, directly inside
the East entrance to Baker, offers a feasible solution.

Logistics
Access to Berry is problematic for students, particularly those
coming from the west side of campus. Additional entrances to Berry
(however temporary) would alleviate the problem.
Many students also express concerns for their safety in Berry,
especially near the construction site. The addition of campus phones
throughout the library, especially in 24-hour spaces (e.g. Novack)
would allow students to contact Safety and Security if necessary, as
well as make intra-campus telephone calls.
Students express concern about both the Baker and Berry
stacks. Currently, books from the Baker stacks must be checked out in
Berry. Circulation services should be extended to Baker for checking
out books from the Baker stacks.
Students suggest several ways to improve the
"user-friendliness" of the Berry stacks. The stacks should be marked on
both ends for easier navigation. Presently, those working in the stacks
have no spot to place their books or do research. Tables should be
placed conveniently near the stacks. Students express concern for
safety in the rolling stacks and hope that further precautions be made.
Students like the availability of study carrels but would like
to see more. The present number of carrels is limited while demand is
high. Students also request study-boards for non-desk studying, similar
to those available in Sanborn Library and the Tower Room. Finally, students note that the toilet paper dispensers are too low and would like to see them raised to a normal level.

Suggestions for Aesthetic Improvement

Furniture and Decoration
Students would like to see artwork and sculpture in the
library. Many suggested student-produced and Dartmouth-themed artwork
as warm additions to the library. Students also note that wood
paneling, desks, and other features that give Baker Library its charm
are lacking in Berry. More comfortable, colorful furniture (couches,
easy-chairs, etc.) would provide alternative study options and warm the
library's atmosphere.

Signage
Many students said that "namesake signage" should be less
prominent. The big silver signs indicating "Jones Center" or "Kiewit"
are extremely tacky. Many other areas of the library are poorly marked
and lack informational or directional signage. When students leave the
print output window, they cannot take the side stair case to get to
higher floors; yet this is not clear.

Novack Café
Students are generally thrilled that Novack's snack bar is part
of the new library. Should Novack serve as a 24-hour space, however,
several changes should be made. Additional kinds of furniture should be
included in the Café area - bigger tables, more couches, love seats.
Students strongly dislike the wallpaper design in the Café area and
feel that more muted decorations should be added in its place.

Sights and Sounds
The closing theme song in the library is irritating to many
students. Students suggest non-fluorescent lighting, such as desk
lamps, as a "softer" alternative to the harsh lights currently in the
café.

Conclusion
The Student Assembly's Student Life
Committee passes these suggestions along as a comprehensive reflection
of general student sentiment. We hope these recommendations are an
important component of your review of the changes you plan to make to
Baker and Berry. Service suggestions are among the most pertinent issues at
this time, and the Assembly urges you to make solutions to these
problems a priority:

Students understand that the Berry
construction and Baker renovations are still works-in-progress. Many
students are optimistic about the final product but would appreciate
attention to the immediate concerns outlined above. Finally, it would be useful for the Assembly to receive an
approximate timeline for the completion of Phase I and Phase II, so
that the Assembly can be informed of the Project's progress.
On behalf of the Student Assembly, we thank you for your
active interest in student feedback on the Baker/Berry Project. We look
forward to hearing your response to this report and hope to continue
working with you on this feedback campaign.

Erica Berman '03,
Alex Rich '03,
Mia Yocco '03,
Molly Stutzman '02
Chair, Student Life Committee