Library

Simmons Library Renovation

Project Summary 2004

In recognition of the integral role of the Simmons Library in the successful implementation of the educational goals and mission of the College, in Jan ’03 the Board of Trustees approved a major renovation and expansion for the Library. The Library will grow from approximately 32,000 square feet currently to 45,000 square feet, and will be given a new entrance and identity on campus, enhancing its place as a welcoming, supportive, vibrant learning environment. In the renovated library, Simmons will provide 25% more comfortable and usable seating for students, with over 500 seats ranging from private study carrels to soft chairs to team tables. In addition, the new library is designed to support the weight of compact shelving, so over time we will have the capacity to double the size of our print collections. We will also be adding 15 new technology equipped group study rooms of varying sizes, and 5 new event and meeting spaces. The new library will have an Information Commons, which will provide more computers and wireless laptops for students, as well as a student help desk. This Technology Support Desk will be co-located with the existing library service points – the Access Desk (circulation, reserves and interlibrary loan) and the Reference Desk (research assistance and instruction). The new building will improve the layout and functionality of the library and provide a state-of-the-art, technology-equipped facility that will assist Simmons faculty, staff and students in achieving academic excellence.

Project Overview: October 2003

Excitement is in the air as planning for a renovated library building commences at Simmons College. Construction, which will take place in phases, is scheduled to begin in May 2004, following Commencement. The Library, Archives, computer labs, classrooms, and Communications Department, all currently in the Lefavour Hall/Simmons Library Building, will all be updated. The existing 2 story Beatley building will be razed, and a five story building constructed in its place. The existing 5 story Lefavour Hall will also be renovated, and a new exterior created.

Michael Cohen, of the firm Fletcher Harkness Cohen Moneyhun Inc. (FHCM), is the lead architect for the project. He and other members of the firm have had many years of experience designing library, including those at Boston College, Emerson College, Middlebury College, Bates College, Wheaton College, Smith College and the College of Charleston, to name just a few. A hallmark of the firm's approach is to seek broad input and to work collaboratively with all constituencies. Accordingly, there have already been several rounds of meetings with administration of the College and with library staff members, as well as discussions with groups of faculty, staff and students. There will be many more throughout the planning process.

One very clear trend in library use is the fact that students work in groups much more than was the case when the current library facility was designed. One of the goals of the renovation will be to provide technology-ready group study rooms of various sizes. Instruction on how to find, evaluate and use information is an increasingly important library service. The new design will have space for hands-on and demonstration sessions. Students also request private and quiet study areas, comfortable soft seating, and traditional chairs at tables where study materials can be spread out. Renovation offers a wonderful opportunity to design spaces that will meet a variety of learning needs and preferences.

Another renovation goal is to provide adequate and inviting space for our book, periodical and multimedia collections. Library staff are measuring books, journals and shelves, as well as monitoring use of the collections, to amass data that will help determine how and where the collections will be placed. Even books taken off the shelf in the course of browsing, but not charged out, are being recorded, with the aid of a mobile barcode reader.

The cramped quarters in the Archives will also be addressed in renovation planning. The architects will aim to design a more spacious facility with room to adequately house the collections, provide processing space for incoming materials, and afford a pleasant, secure reading room for researchers.

Preliminary designs call for a new façade and entry for the library building, and a new entrance to the main Simmons campus from Avenue Louis Pasteur, providing more convenient access for students coming from the residence campus or the Green Line T.

Looking ahead, library staff are beginning to consider ways to provide access to collections and services during renovation and to keep students, faculty and staff informed of changes that will be occurring when renovation begins.


Library Renovation Team

  • Lisa Chapnick, Senior VP for Administration& Planning
  • Michael Cohen, Architect
  • Donna Dolan, Registrar
  • Daphne Harrington, Director of the Library
  • Bob Kuhn, Executive Director, Technology
  • John Lyons, Director of Facilities

Library Renovation Advisory Committee

Feel free to contact a member of the committee with questions or feedback about the project.

Committee Members are:

Library Renovation Team
- Lisa Chapnick, Administration and Planning
- Michael Cohen, Architect
- Ed Jacques, Architect
- Donna Dolan, Registrar
- Daphne Harrington, Library
- Bob Kuhn, Technology
- John Lyons, Facilities

Library Staff Participants
- Megan Fox, Beatley
- Judy Narosny, Beatley Technical Services
- Doris Ann Sweet, Beatley Public Services
- Linda Watkins, GSLIS

Faculty Representatives
CAS faculty:
- Geoff Turner, Faculty Council
- Masato Aoki, Economics
- Michael Cameron, Education/SPED
- Ellen Grabiner, Communications
- Cathie Mercier, MCC (alternate Niloufer Sohrabji)
- Nancy Lee, Chemistry (alternate Richard Gurney)
Graduate faculty
- Denise Humm-Delgado, SSW
- Lynn Foord-May, SHS
- Candy Schwartz, GSLIS (alternate Denise Davis)

Campus Representatives
- Elizabeth Pierce, Student Life
- Roy Schifilliti, Business Affairs
- Marie Brais, Development
- Mary Dutkiewicz, SOM

Students
- Laura Horst – SGA representative
- Andrea Mercado – LISSA, GSLIS student government

 

The Library Renovation Team is eager to hear your ideas, concerns and comments throughout the planning process, and as construction progresses. For questions/comments about the project, contact Daphne Harrington (2754), Library Director.

For questions/comments about the site, contact the Megan Fox (2742).

Page updated: December 14, 2006

 

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