Unquestionably, Rush Rhees Library is a precious resource for many UR students, and the forthcoming improvements will only serve to increase the utility and attractiveness of the campus’ most recognizable landmark. Located at the far end of the academic quad, the library is the symbolic focal point of intellectual life at UR. It’s dramatic presence indicates the importance of learning at UR and its high-quality architecture represents the emphasis placed on knowledge.
With its nearly 42 miles of shelving, easy-to-use catalog search engine, wireless Internet access and architectural grandeur, Rush Rhees is an attractive place for students to study. Despite these features, students do not utilize the library to its fullest extent simply because there are problems stemming from the fact that the builders in the 19th century could not anticipate the needs of modern students, such as meeting places for group work.
The newest funding will continue to help Rush Rhees to be what the founders intended it to be ? a place where students learn from books as well as interactions with each other.
Fortunately, administrators realize this and the first steps have already been taken to make Rush Rhees able to serve UR students for years to come. The five million dollar grant from the Gleason Foundation will go a long way in making the library meet the needs of students today.
