Students at Black Hawk College are writing papers and checking out books from a new library. Today, the college held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Quad Cities Campus Library and Teaching/Learning Center. Renovations began in May and finished in August, just before classes started.
Ashton Trimble, director of Library Services, says the library has a new interior design, including a new elevator, carpet, sound panels, and energy efficient windows.
"We have less library stacks than we used to, but we have a lot more tables. We have a lot more soft seating. We've added some extra computer stations. We've really opened up the floor and given the students a lot more space to work--either collaboratively or on their own and in a more comfortable environment."
The library features a growing virtual reference collection and an interlibrary loan program. It also shares a space with a new Teaching and Learning Center for faculty.
"They receive a lot of training in terms of introducing technology into their curriculum and how to use technology in the classroom, so that's going to be a great addition to our library space as well," Trimble says.
Renovations on the Black Hawk Quad Cities Library and Teaching/Learning Center cost $1.5 million.