A $30 million superstructure. An extension to the Milton S. Eisenhower Library (MSEL). A place where students will be able to hang out and study. These were only some of the descriptions Winston Tabb, the Sheridan Dean of University Libraries and Museums, used to detail what the swanky new Brody Learning Commons (BLC) would look like. The BLC is still under construction, and is projected to be finished next summer.
The Brody Learning Commons was conceived in order to give students what they couldn’t get from the MSEL.
“In the process of gaining feedback of what the students wanted in the BLC that the MSEL lacked, we noticed a common grievance,” Tabb said. “The MSEL was a bunker of sorts, where students felt a lack of natural light. In the course of designing the BLC, we saw this as our top priority. We made sure that students will have plenty of access to natural light.”
And this did come across when The News-Letter was given a tour of the construction area that was ultimately going to culminate into the M Level of the BLC.
“The BLC will have a similar structure as the MSEL, having a Café on the Q Level, a main M Level and a B and C level,” Martin Kajic, the Facilities project manager of the BLC, who also oversaw renovation of Gilman Hall, said. “The D Level is designed to be a mechanical room, not accessible to students. The BLC will be connected to the MSEL on every level.”
Hopkins is also making sure that the BLC won’t have the “bunker-feeling” that MSEL has.
“All the levels are above ground except C and D,” Kajic said. “While we don’t like to consider even the C level as underground, keeping in mind the amount of natural light it will receive, architecturally it is below the ground. The M Level houses seminar rooms on the east and west sides, a rare book reading room and three group study rooms. B Level has flexible group study rooms and technology classrooms. C Level adds two more technology classrooms along with having an iconic reading room.”
Knowing the problems a noisy construction beside a library can have, Martin explained the measures they have taken to ensure minimum intrusion. “We will take up work like fencing, which would generate a lot of noise, during spring break, a time when students are not on campus,” he said. “We will continue with laying out the concrete once they are back. While we know we are making a building which will benefit students in the future, we also want to ensure not to intrude in on the present.”
On inquiring about the construction agenda, Dean Tabb beamed. “In spite of the terrible winter and weather constraints we are three weeks ahead of schedule,” Tabb said. “We hope to finish construction of the brick and glass by the summer of 2012. We want to welcome the freshmen class of 2015 with this new addition.”
Tabb also talked about the environmentally friendly nature of the building under construction.
Following the lead of Gilman Hall, efforts were in place to make sure the building was environmentally sustainable. “Being a new construction, we knew we had room to make an extra effort into considering the environment,” Tabb said.
“Along with being beneficial to students, the provision of natural light was a part of energy conservation,” Tabb went on. “The BLC is a Silver LEED certified structure. LEED certified buildings are supposed to use resources more efficiently when compared to conventional buildings. The BLC provides a healthier work environment which contributes to higher productivity and improved student comfort.”
While Hopkins students are definitely a priority in the building, the BLC will also be open to students of other colleges and members of the community. It is designed to be a student-friendly space and not merely another library.
To fulfill the technological needs of today’s student, the building is extremely robust in wireless connections with no dead spots and power outlets strategically placed.
“Today, students are doing things that I had never imagined when I first took up a job as a librarian,” Tabb said. “When the MSEL was built in the 1960s, I am positive they did not imagine students coming in with tablets and notebooks! It was designed to be a library full of books,” Tabb recalled.
“Therefore, we have ensured that the BLC is less of a library and more of a ‘learning commons,’” Tabb said. “A place where social ability meets intellectuality. Other than the rare books, the BLC will not have stacks for any other books.”
Rather, it will add 500 more seats in addition to the 2,000 of the MSEL. The 42,000 square feet building will also house a café which is better designed around social interactions, integrating learning and coffee. It provides for an informal environment between student and faculty seating 75 people at one time.”
Along with adding space to the current MSEL, the BLC is also projected to ensure brightness and openness. The group study rooms will have glass walls, which will allow natural light while at the same time maintaining privacy for discussions and collaboration. A feeling of being free and not of constraint is a promise the new building hopes to fulfill.
The MSEL was made wireless at an enormous cost. Learning from this, the University has provisioned for future technology needs and built a raised floor process where all the wiring will be accommodated 15 inches under the floor.
Extending the cause of student contributions and friendliness, the building is architecturally flexible to house changing student needs. Indeed, it will truly be a 21st century library.
