Colleges redefine what a library should be
Not just ‘hush’ or ‘quiet’ from librarians
South Florida universities want to close the book on the image of a college library being a boring place to cram for tests.
Florida Atlantic University’s Wimberly Library in Boca Raton offers students comfy stuffed chairs where they can eat, visit, Snapchat and play chess.
“People aren't just sitting down reading and studying,” said library dean Carol Hixson. “There’s a lot of conservation, socializing and very active learning.”
Libraries have had to reinvent themselves since electronic collections reduced the need for people to physically visit a library for research, said James Hutchens, an interim vice president who oversees libraries at Nova Southeastern University.
“They’re community centers,” Hutchens said. “We want them to be a place where people can share information and find personal growth.”
At NSU’s Davie campus, office space in the Alvin Sherman Library was converted in 2015 to an area for students to talk or work on group projects. The space includes modern furniture and charging ports that can be easily rearranged for different sized groups.
At FAU, Hixson has been on a mission since she arrived two years ago to transform the library on a shoestring budget.
“We are taking what money we can find and are using it to create spaces that are more inviting, functional and conducive for our students,” Hixson said.
Sam Maurice, 19, a sophomore at FAU, is taking advantage of the transformation.
“During my freshman year, the library was a lot more cold and closed off,” she said. “Students get to decide how loud the volume is. It’s a place to socialize and a lot more fun.”