UIndy begins planning for KML renovation
By Erik Kispert
Staff Writer
University of Indianapolis Information Systems held two workshops about the scheduled renovation of Krannert Memorial Library on Nov. 5 and 6 in Ober Dining Room. The sessions were held to gain insight about the use of the library from students, faculty and staff.
Shirley Dugdale, director for learning environments at DEGW, and Chad Kainz, senior director of academic technologies at the University of Chicago, led the sessions.
The Chicago-based DEGW strategic design consultancy has been involved with projects at several universities, including Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University and Georgia Tech University, according to the company’s Web site (www.degw.com). Dugdale said that UIndy is currently in the programming phase.
“‘What should be in the building?’ is the question we are asking right now,” Dugdale said.
Jeff Russell, chief information officer at UIndy, made connections with the DEGW firm at an annual information technology conference sponsored by a non-profit organization called Educause.
According to Russell, the university decided to hire DEGW and Dugdale for this preliminary planning phase because they did not have any vested interests.
“Some architects will recommend a particular design because it benefits them through relationships they have with their contractors,” Russell said.
DEGW is an independent consulting firm,and Russell said he believes they will find what is best for UIndy.
Krannert Memorial Library has seen very few changes since its construction in 1977. According to Russell, the renovation is the only academic building project in the university’s master plan.
“The project really kicked off last spring after we secured funding for it,” he said.
The cost of the renovations is still unknown and will remain so until a more definitive concept is chosen, according to Russell. He estimated the university’s contributions to be at least “a few million dollars” but said that could change very quickly.
“It depends on the design and the resources we decide we need,” Russell said.
Dr. Philip Young, library director, said there is the possibility of a donor adding to the available funding that would be available for the renovation project.
“That would open up possibilities for us, like renovating the west entrance, which really just looks like a back door,” he said. “We want it to look more inviting.”
Young said that the main focus so far is to open up the first floor space, making it more conducive to group learning.
“The various areas which have evolved out of need and which have just been crammed into the spaces available will be integrated,” he said.
Another key attribute that Dugdale, Russell and Young hope to incorporate into the new library design is a main information desk, which would serve as a hub to direct library patrons to the appropriate resources.
Young said the library shows several symptoms of being outdated.
“Look at how many students have laptops now, and how they have to stretch power cords across aisles just to plug them in,” he said.
He said the new library space will provide things as basic as electrical outlets in convenient places for laptop users.
“The paneling and the furniture are very 70s,” Young said. “We will probably do something to make it look more modern, but like everything else, the design is totally up in the air right now.”
He even said there was the possibility of building a coffee shop within the library.
“We would have to work something out with Ted Polk, but we hope that can happen as well,” Young said.
The university hopes to be in a position to select an architect by this spring and begin looking at possible designs, according to Russell. DEGW plans to be ready to report its findings early next month.
Both Russell and Young said that considerations for this project are not finalized and encouraged students and faculty to contribute ideas they may have for the library. Suggestions can be sent via e-mail to Russell at jrussell@uindy.edu or Young at pyoung@uindy.edu.
