Baron-Forness Library Re-Opens with New Features
After much anticipation and renovation, the Baron Forness Library’sdoors are open for students to study and socialize. The renovated seven-floor building offers returning amenities such as group study rooms, homework assistance and information resources.
Students will have free access to group study areas, where . 23 of the 27 rooms have large screens for students to share screens and online information easily in a group setting.
However, study halls are not the only attraction of the renewed facility. University library director, Anthony McMullen says the second floor is a “one-stop shop for students’ resources.” One such example of available services is the NWPA Beehive branch, which provides services for students who are looking to start their own business.
Other resources include a writing center a veterans’ success center, a career center, a student success center, peer tutoring, and librarians to guide students on the right path.
The old library had restrictions on capacity on each floor and who could use the study rooms. With the re-opening, the focus has shifted to be more accommodating to students’ needs.
“I did not want to open this building and have a bunch of ridged rules in place., I prefer to see how students adopt this space organically,” says the five-year university library director, McMullen. “We opted to take an approach of ‘let's see how the students adopt the space,’ let's see how these needs rise.’”
McMullen explains that he wants the library to feel inviting and a place that is willing to change to what the student body needs it to be. “If you were to walk around the building right now, you'll find that most of the rooms are occupied so students are making themselves at home and that's what we want to see,” he says.
Comments and suggestions for library services can be sent to McMullen at amcmullen@penwestedu.