Van Pelt renovations finished

Students looking for more study space this fall can find a long awaited refuge in Van Pelt Library -- a facility that is drastically different from what they may remember. After closing its main entrance for the past year, renovations were completed in the fourth and final phase of a plan to maximize the library's space, provide better lighting and create a more pleasant study environment. "The first concept was 'How are we going to take this Greyhound Bus Depot and convert it in into something students and faculty can use to learn?' " Vice Provost and Director of Libraries Paul Mosher said earlier this week. The multimillion-dollar renovations, which began in 1995, were funded by gifts from individuals and classes. Mosher explained that after meeting with student focus groups, he discovered that because the main floor of the library was partitioned into several sections, the facility failed to either properly use the space or provide enough light. The plan, therefore, was to open up the building, tearing down the walls that separated each section "like using a giant can opener," Mosher said. Although Mosher explained that he still plans to make more changes in other parts of the library, the results of these renovations -- the final phase of which began in December -- are apparent. Upon entering the front gateway, students will first notice an information desk, something the 36 year-old library has never housed. Just behind the desk is a more conveniently located reference center. Inevitably, the Penn logo will catch the eye of students and faculty alike within seconds of entering the lobby. The logo is embedded in a new marble and stone floor, constructed using an ancient Roman technique called terrazzo. Also of note are the desks, counters and bookcases, built with cherry wood, designed to preserve heat better than the old asphalt and concrete desks which contributed to frigid winter temperatures inside the building. Moving east, visitors find a pleasant view of College Green peering through the window into an open area adjacent to a brand new staircase leading up to the mezzanine and down to Rosengarten. While formerly a partitioned reference area, the far end of the floor now contains a current periodicals section, replete with lit shelves as well as a selection of daily newspapers from around the country and a compact Microtext center. The north end of the library now features a study lounge with a view of Walnut Street. Mosher pointed out that desks in the library's renovated study lounges have been equipped for laptop computer hookups. Earlier phases of the renovations also included a new electronic classroom for computer instruction. In addition to the renovations within Van Pelt, a new high density storage facility will open in May at 30th and Market streets to house less frequently used books that are beyond the library's capacity of 2.4 million volumes. "This will be inconvenient, but not as inconvenient as not having [the space]," Mosher said, pointing out the numerous volumes that do not fit on the shelves. Future renovations, which are already in the planning and fundraising stage, include a graduate study lounge with book locker facilities and an expanded Rosengarten facility to be open 24 hours, complete with wheelchair access, group study lounges and an indoor/outdoor cafe.