Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Video
Spencer Research Library renovations
Sarah Kanning, KU Libraries Communications Coordinator, talks about Marilyn Stokstad's generous donation for the new reading room and reception space.
The summer is in full swing and so is construction on campus at the University of Kansas. Many of the buildings on campus are undergoing renovations and that includes the libraries.
Anschutz, Spahr, Spencer and Watson libraries are all seeing construction this summer, but the Kenneth Spencer Research Library is receiving the biggest face-lift.
After construction is complete, the Spencer Research Library will have a new interior reception space and the current reading room will be known as the Marilyn Stokstad Reading Room. Stokstad is the Judith Harris Murphy Distinguished Professor Emerita of Art History.
Stokstad gave the libraries $250,000, which should cover the entire cost of renovations. She is a retired faculty member and a renowned art history scholar. Her donation will allow the new reading room to be more open, inviting and visible, which are key qualities at the library.
Kent Miller, associate dean of libraries, said the 5,000-square-foot Stokstad Reading Room will enhance the experience of all users of the book and manuscript collections in this library. Some of the improvements that students will see in the new reading room include an increase in the size and seating in the reading room, a higher quality in lighting, better sound control and an enclosed study space for group work.
“Our goal is the upgrading of spaces and equipment which support the work of our user community,” Miller said. “Staff spaces are important too, but our primary goal is to make sure the spaces students and faculty use are comfortable and meet their needs.”
The Spencer Research Library is home to extensive book collections, manuscripts, photos and other items since its opening in 1968.
Sarah Kanning, communications coordinator for the libraries, said the Spencer Research Library is home to historical artifacts like the Gutenberg Bible, Irish literature collections from James Joyce and it is also home to the University Archives, which contains the history of the University of Kansas.
“The archives contain Chancellors’ papers, photos, Jayhawker yearbooks and the presentation of the Jayhawk,” Kanning said.
Libraries are like other public buildings, which need constant maintenance refreshment to support comfortable, safe and convenient access by the user community, Miller said. Students provide quality input before and after renovation projects, he said.
“We’ve received very positive feedback from students on past projects and we’re happy about that,” Miller said. “The biggest concerns students have voiced recently have been about study spaces, the number of computers available and building hours, which is part of the reason we are doing some of these projects.”
This donation from Stokstad isn’t the first time she’s been generous to the University. She has supported the Spencer Museum of Art, the Hall Center for the Humanities, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Lied Center.
Construction is being done by design and construction management and facilities operations and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
Room to read
A new reading room at Spencer Research Library was opened Tuesday.
Students use Spencer library and museum to ...
Spencer Research Library has more than a million photos available for academic ...
Anchutz Library turns 20
Once uveiled, the more spacious building will soon be an epicenter of ...
A Look Inside
Web sites displaying the contents of a woman’s most personal space — ...
Anchutz library upgrades to faster wireless Internet
Anschutz Library now has faster and more reliable wireless internet.
News you need to know
A brief look at news around town
Spencer Research Library offers a unique collection ...
Books include a signed first edition of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.”
Star Trek writer's works move to Spencer ...
Papers from the collection of author Theodore Sturgeon are now at the ...
Hidden treasures on campus
Check out this list of impressive landmarks on campus.
Improving energy efficiency isn't cheap
The University designates $25 million to update lighting, ventilation, heating and water ...
Lawrence Library expansion project approved
The $18 million project is expected to take 20 months to complete.
Ventilation improvements continue in Wescoe Hall
Construction on a project designed to improve airflow in the building still ...
Libraries, students take advantage of book collecting ...
The Snyder Book Collecting Contest has been a KU tradition for 54 ...
Bond funding library renovations up for vote
If approved, the bond will help fund a library expansion, a larger ...
Malott to be renovated
Carving finds new home in Wescoe Hall
The 94-year-old "Russian Jayhawk" moved from the University Archives to the department ...
Stimulus grant funds green building
A $12.3 million stimulus grant will help the School of Engineering construct ...
Developer includes students on renovation
A renovation of three buildings in one of Lawrence's historical neighborhoods offers ...
Student Senate passes bill to renovate Wescoe ...
Wednesday evening's senate meeting approved a $100,000 renovation of Wescoe's exterior, funds ...
Grant will allow Spencer Museum of Art ...
The $1.2 million grant puts the University in a league with schools ...
Campus museums getting creative
Budget cuts at KU mean finding new ways to show off holdings.
Get some Culture: Glorious to View Project
It's not all about fast food and beer pong.
Grants fund Dyche Hall upgrades
Two awards will allow the Kansas Biodiversity Institute to make renovations to ...
Anschutz plans to fix login problems
After several student complaints about the slow network, KU Information Technology officials ...
Library exhibit spotlights climate issue
The first KU Libraries exhibit will incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to the ...
Man donates $100,000 for research
Spencer plans for growth
The museum will pay $40,000 to create a plan for future expansion.
More construction planned for campus
The five-year plan of deferred maintenance will improve the environment, capabilities and ...
City library looks to expand
New humanities site features historic facade
Renovation set to begin at Sigma Phi ...
Fraternity members said the construction would improve their living situation but not ...
Upgrades shift to basketball, volleyball
Coaches and players are still excited about ongoing construction and upgrades to ...
Spencer Research Library to close shortly following ...
$5,000 in rare books stolen from Watson
Rare books and art prints were stolen from Watson Library May 28.
Construction will make parking spots rare
Beginning Friday, Students won’t be able to park around Strong, Bailey Halls ...
Athletics facility construction on schedule
A new basketball practice facility, locker rooms for smaller sports and an ...
Second education
KU joins the list of universities using the virtual world of Second ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID