Library officials discuss e-mail, new renovations

Twelve officials from Van Pelt and Furness Fine Arts libraries held an open forum Thursday in the Class of 1955 conference room in Van Pelt to discuss students' problems, concerns and ideas for the University's library system. Only four students attended the event -- two from the Undergraduate Assembly and two from University Council's Library Committee -- to discuss the the removal of Telnet from 34 computers in Van Pelt's Class of 1964 look-up center, the proposed renovations to Rosengarten Reserve Room and other areas of Van Pelt and building security. Officials said they decided to remove e-mail capabilities from the designated machines because students interested in using the electronic databases for research purposes complained they were limited by the large number of students using e-mail. "It's very hard to balance the needs of different groups of populations," Associate Director of Library Public Services Patricia Renfro said. Renfro added that although the library's main priority is to make the facility accessible for research, almost 100 machines in Van Pelt may still be used for e-mail. And she said eight more computers equipped with Telnet will be added to the Rosengarten later this month after the program was removed last week from most computers on Van Pelt's first floor. Students said they were not concerned about the removal of e-mail from the computers, adding that they were generally sympathetic to the need for designated research computers in the library. "People who need to look up information should not be shoved aside by people e-mailing their friends," said UA Facilities Chairperson Theo LeCompte, an Engineering sophomore. The eight new computers are the first step in a plan to renovate Rosengarten that will cost $2 million -- half of which has already been raised from private donors -- and will provide six sound-proof group study booths, a lounge with several couches and a new cybercafe to seat 40 to 50 students. Under the renovation plans, the layout of Rosengarten also will be slightly restructured to provide a clearer distinction between quiet study space and areas where students can talk while working. Renfro added that small renovations to the third and fourth floors of Van Pelt are also scheduled to begin this summer. The area in front of the third-floor elevators will be equipped with more personal computers and wooden lockers for student use, while the Jewish and Near East Collection -- located on the fourth floor -- will acquire two group study rooms and a new seminar room. Regarding plans for updating Van Pelt's security system, Director of Administration and Finance John Keane said library officials would include the $1 million necessary for a new security system in this year's budget proposal, but he added that it would be hard to find a private donor to sponsor the project.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.