The large wooden tables adjacent to the circulation desk in Rush Rhees Library Q&i, which were removed from the area in preparation for future renovations to the space, will be returned to the area Sept. 28th and will remain there for the duration of the 2015-2016 academic year, Dean of River Campus Libraries (RCL) Mary Ann Mavrinac said in an email.
Starting in May, the Rush Rhees Q&i will be remodeled into Evans Lam Square, an “active collaborative space.” Evans Lam ‘83, ‘84 M.B.A. is a member of UR’s Board of Trustees. He also did his undergraduate studies at UR, graduating with a B.A. in Economics in 1983. Earlier this year, Lam and his wife Susanna donated $1 million to rename and redesign the space.
Lam Square will feature “an approximate 30 percent increase in study spaces using predominantly table and group seating,” Mavrinac said. In addition, Lam Square is intended to be a hub of “the latest technology,” with support for applying technology to classwork and studies. Most of the currently available services in Q&i will remain, including the public computers; printers, scanners and copy machines; the magazine and newspaper racks; and the circulation desk.
The University is currently working with architects to design a floor plan for Lam Square, Mavrinac explained. Construction is expected to be completed over summer 2016, and Lam Square is scheduled to open for the Fall 2016 semester. There are two presentations planned to inform students about the project. The first will be held during the Students’ Association Senate meeting on Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. in the Gowen Room; the second session will be held in the Gandhi Room in Rush Rhees on Oct. 13 at 5 p.m., at the meeting of the RCL Student Forum. Mavrinac also noted that some students had been invited to contribute ideas over the summer.
“The new space requires tables that are sturdy, but not as difficult to move as the wooden tables.” Mavrinac said. She noted that each of the old tables required six people working together to move them, and that this was not a feasible option for Lam Square.
“We wish to continue to learn more about the types of tables that students prefer,” Mavrinac added. “I will be hosting a special student forum on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 4-5 p.m. in the Gleason Theatre in Gleason Library. The forum is open to all students who would like to discuss this topic.”
A student petition to bring the tables back was left in the Q&i area to gather signatures, and was submitted to Q&i on Sept. 20. Mavrinac cited this as the reason library staff decided to return the tables to Q&i. A separate petition on the Students’ Association (SA)’s Impact website, titled “Bring Back Large Tables to Circulation,” had 79 signatures at press time, but has not been reviewed by SA.
“We are always appreciative of students’ feedback and we are open to hearing students’ concerns,” Mavrinac said. “The tables will remain in Q&i until May, when construction begins for Lam Square.” After that, they will be permanently removed to other locations in Rush Rhees.
Passanisi is a member of the class of 2017.
