MEDICAL BULLETIN

Health Center Library gets a makeover

Several generous donors make project possible

The most noticeable difference resulting from the recent work on the Health Center Library is its improved appearance. A new glass-doored entryway now greets patrons.

Students and others using the Health Center Library at Case Western Reserve University have been enjoying the newly improved facility, which recently received a $2.5 million makeover.

“There is an extraordinary sense of brightness here, an extraordinary sense of community here,” School of Medicine Dean Ralph I. Howitz, M.D., said at an Oct. 24 reception celebrating the renovations. At the event, Virginia Saha, director of the Cleveland Health Sciences Library, which includes the Health Center Library as well as the Allen Memorial Medical Library, praised staff, the architects and the contractors. Kendall White, of the firm Collins Gordon Bostwick Architects, was the project architect.

Since 1966, the Health Center Library and the Allen Memorial Medical Library, also on the Case campus, together have been known as the Cleveland Health Sciences Library. The libraries are used by medical, nursing and dental students at Case, as well as other students, health care professionals, and others in the community. The Health Center Library, in the Frederick C. Robbins Building (formerly known as the east wing) of the School of Medicine, was constructed more than 30 years ago and had received few updates since that time.

The most noticeable difference resulting from the recent work is the library’s improved appearance. Greeting patrons are a new glass-doored entryway, repainted walls, recarpeted floors, new lights, new tiles in the ceiling, and new furniture.

Some of the changes were based on a survey, conducted by the library, revealing that most students wanted the option of studying alone; individual study areas with acoustic paneling to reduce noise were created. Also, the new study carrels were configured with single, double and triple seating arrangements. Group study tables with movable dividers, as well as refurbished study rooms, are now available. All of the seating is located by windows.

Other changes have benefited studying patrons as well. Long-dormant electrical outlets were activated, allowing visitors to plug in lap-top computers and save their batteries. Patrons also can connect to the university’s wireless network from anywhere in the library. And photocopiers, formerly placed throughout the library, were moved to one location, making their noise less troublesome.

Also, existing bookshelves were rearranged, and some were added. All shelves are 36 inches apart to accommodate access by people in wheelchairs, and the bathroom and elevator are accessible to the disabled. Other changes include the creation of a computer training lab and conference room, and a new reference and circulation desk. The heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system were replaced, and a sprinkler system was installed.

Although the project lasted several months, the library was able to stay open for most of its duration. Much of the construction took place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., allowing the library to be open during the days. Even when the library was closed for about two weeks, patrons could obtain books and journal articles through an interlibrary loan service.

Student areas receive update, too

Student areas on the third and fourth floors of the Frederick C. Robbins Building (formerly the east wing) of the School of Medicine also received makeovers for the 2003-2004 year.

Student desk areas were repainted so that each floor now features a green room, a blue room and a red room. The areas also received new chairs, improved heating/ventilating/air conditioning systems, and improved lighting.

In addition, one auditorium also received new carpeting and paint, and the seats were reupholstered. Small group rooms received new carpeting, paint and furniture.

Students on the Committee of Student Representatives student government group led the decision-making process for the new materials.