OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

Instead of resting on their laurels after the incredibly successful Library West Commons project, library administrators have decided to take even more measures to improve the studying environment.

The plans include renovating the first floor of the library to include a cafe that will sell coffee and other refreshments, replacing tables and chairs with furniture that will be more conducive to group study sessions, and adding a lecture series on faculty research projects geared towards students.

Since the new initiatives will have a direct, immediate, positive impact on students, the Institute should lend the effort its full support by providing the library with whatever funding is necessary to complete the project. A cafe, preferably open 24-7 or at least late-night, would be a big hit with students studying in the library and also in the nearby Van Leer and Architecture buildings. The library should model its design after the popular study cafes at nearby Barnes & Noble and Border's.

We applaud the library's efforts to help students and its use of student focus group input throughout the entire planning process and hope that the project will be completed as soon as possible.