After Spring Break 2002, students can expect the completion of a new wing in Samuel H. Coleman Memorial Library. This wing will provide, students with a new wing equipped with better facilities.
Culpepper Construction architect Elvie Rubiol said, “The new wing will be approximately 33,500 square feet of useable space. It will consist of mostly shelving space, which has been a concern voiced from the librarians for quite some time.”
“There will also be more office space for the librarians, a staff conference room, another elevator, a third floor service desk, more seating arrangements (group, individual, and carrels), and computer terminals in the stacks, which will add convenience to the students.”
The new wing will encompass the same amount of floors Coleman already has, with the exception of increased seating space, which has been in great demand.
“After talking to some of the students and faculty, it was pointed out that students need more space to work together collaboratively, and so we had to keep that in mind while coming up with the schematics for the new wing,” said Library Director Lauren Sapp.
“The project which cost approximately $8.8 million and is funded through what is called capital improvements. This fund is set aside specifically for building projects. The University then sets a need, and is placed on a priority list.
“The library finally came to the top of the priority list, and the money was then allocated to us by the state.”
In order for the project to become final, it must go through four phases.
In phase one, there must be a conceptual schematic design drawn, which is a first draft of what the architect wants the project to look like.
In phase two, the architect would add more detail to the schematic, pushing the design process into phase three.
This is then continued until the design reaches it’s final phase at 100%.
The different phases are necessary to ensure that nothing is left out in the schematics before construction can actually begin.
From there, the construction company and the university can see exactly what they’re working with, and make sure they don’t go over the space and the funds they are allowed to work with.
There is a biographical model of the finished product in the front entrance of the library.