New library: dealing with the interim

While library construction has been a popular topic this year, it is time to get tactical about what exactly students attending Santa Clara during the interim period will be expected to do about research and study space. During The Santa Clara's meeting with University President Locatelli, S.J., he highlighted future plans for the "Library for the 21st Century."

Current report

The architectural plans for the new library seem to be fairly well developed. Now all that remains is raising the final funds.

And while the design for the project should be ready for the proposed ground-breaking this summer, interim plans for study space and book storage are also being discussed.

Ron Danielson, the university's chief information officer, explains that three areas will serve as temporary replacements for Santa Clara's undergraduate library.

The second floor of the Leavey Center will house library staff, as this space was just made available for a contractor to develop it. Temporary modular structures northeast of the parking structures near Buck Shaw Stadium will house the circulation desk, some reference materials and computers. And Nobili Hall's first floor, the third site, will primarily serve as a study and reading area for students. It may also serve as a possible training and instruction center.

These cross-campus interim sites have been designated, and the library staff is on target with its movement of materials out of the library for a proposed July demolition date, Danielson said.

The entire construction of the library will require an estimated 20 months, according to Joe Sugg, Assistant Vice President for University Operations. Sugg estimates the total cost of construction at about $95 million, with materials costs increasing at a rate of 7 percent per year while construction waits. Those 20 months, however, will be extended by four more for the stocking of materials.

Before any construction can begin, the remaining funds must be raised. But students must be assured that their academic priorities will be taken care of after the wrecking ball hits.

Library shuttle option

If students are going to be inconvenienced by having a piecemeal library across campus for a few years, then Santa Clara should provide tangible interim solutions that resemble an actual working library.

If we can't bring a new library to students, then let's bring them to one.

Here's a solution: Use the current commuter shuttle -- which carries a whopping 125 riders per week about 1.7 miles -- as a library shuttle. How about extending the route a few miles down The Alameda to the beautiful new Martin Luther King Jr. public library downtown?

Currently, operating costs for the shuttle are $4,500 a month, and funding for the shuttle comes from the parking auxiliary, which holds revenue from fines collected.

What a good way to put that pesky parking ticket to use. And if that's successful, perhaps Santa Clara could subsidize VTA fares for students (especially freshmen, who aren't allowed to have cars) to travel to South Bay libraries.

University communication

Strong communication between the university and its students is what will make the library transition peaceful. It is essential that the university explain to its future applicants the status of the new library and the interim solutions to avoid disappointment from new students who arrive on campus to find a fractured library system.

Opening up convenient study spaces while utilizing the university's best resources will help staff and students with this somewhat rough transition.