PHOTO: Main entrance to Alfred R. Neumann Library with doors closed and sign in front that says "The library is being renovated use third floor entrance" in capital letters. Photo courtesy of Audience Engagement Editor Stephanie Perez — The Neumann Library is still open throughout the summer with the entrance temporarily located on the third floor. Photo courtesy of Audience Engagement Editor Stephanie Perez.

NEWS: Neumann Library gets renovation in time for fall semester

By Stephanie Perez Last updated Jul 6, 2021 489 1

The first floor of the Neumann Library is currently under renovation expected to be nearly complete by the start of the fall semester.

David Palmer, assistant director of access and delivery services, said this is the first time the library will undergo large-scale renovations.

Vivienne McClendon, executive director of the Neumann Library, explained that the renovations underwent planning for almost two years. Additional pre-work included ordering furniture, weeding out parts of the collection and getting rid of the microfilm and microfiche cabinets. The renovations did not officially start until May 15.

“The renovation, in large part, is a response to where we want the library to go,” McClendon said. “We really want to be an innovation hub.We want to be a place where technology and ideas come together for students, faculty and staff.”

To do that, they are responding to various requests from students like adding different furniture and more charging ports. There will be two new seating areas in front of the classroom where students can wait for their class to start. The classroom is being turned into an active learning space, which will provide more furniture movability.

“The classroom has been very traditional up to this point,” McClendon said. “So all of the tables are pointing forward and traditional, in this case even the chalkboard. So our new configuration will be an active classroom and we’re working with the Center for Engagement, Teaching and Learning (CETL), to create this space as sort of a demonstration space for the campus of what an active learning space can be like.”

Aside from the active learning space, the CETL will also use the classroom as a distance learning lab to create training modules for faculty. The training modules will help faculty to better adjust their instruction for online or remote courses.

PHOTO: Library area without carpet or tile. Photo courtesy of Audience Engagement Editor Stephanie Perez. — Additionally, the tile will be replaced by carpet. However, one complication discovered by contractors was asbestos beneath the tile. Photo by Audience Engagement Editor Stephanie Perez.

Mark Denney, vice president for administration and finance, explained that the library has accumulated a balance for the renovations throughout the years with funding from multiple sources like the Information Resource Fee (IRF) paid by students and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding received from the federal government.

Denney said that in addition to the library, phase three renovations of the Patio Cafe are underway. During this phase, they are constructing a wall to separate the dining area from the food service area.

Denney encouraged students to get involved and participate on campus to have their voices heard in making these decisions. UHCL’s Shared Governance is comprised of different committees, including the Facilities and Support Services Committee (FSSC), which presented the proposal for the library renovation.

The Neumann Library is still open throughout the summer with the entrance temporarily located on the third floor of the Bayou Building. The library offers virtual consultations, item pick-ups and study spaces. Students can submit feedback on the renovations via a survey available by scanning a QR code on the library’s renovation updates page.