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Langsam Library Receives a Facelift

Holly Prochaska, Coordinator, Renovation Projects, holly.prochaska@uc.edu

A student at work in a renovated Langsam Library. Photo by Melissa Cox Norris

Students returning this fall to Langsam Library were greeted by the following improvements and changes:

Carpet Replacement/Stack Move: Carpet was replaced in all public areas and most staff areas. During the recarpeting of the book stacks, the aisle widths were expanded to 36" to create greater ease of accessibility.

Front Entrance: Dovetailing with the recarpeting was the renovation of the front entrance flooring. In an effort to modernize and create a more inviting space, the ceramic tile in the library foyer was removed and replaced with bamboo flooring, chosen for its durability, beauty, and environmental friendliness.

By the end of October, a new circulation desk will complete the front entrance improvement. The new desk will be made of wood and will feature accessible countertops and service areas to better meet the needs of all library users. Its recessed location will make the elevators and Info Commons desk more visible and easier to locate.

Pottery Walls: In order to open up the 4th floor of Langsam, the 9' walls that once displayed the Pre-Columbian Ecuadorian pottery were removed. The pottery cases will be relocated to the 4th floor on the wall further down the spine (outside Acquisitions and Accounting) and across from the pottery's previous location. The lighting and background of the cases will be improved to enhance the viewing of the pottery.

Microforms Move: The microforms collection has been moved to the 5th floor of Langsam Library and is now housed within Periodical Services.

The Cohen Enrichment Collection & New Book Area. Photo by Melissa Cox Norris

The Cohen Enrichment Collection and New Book Area: The Cohen Enrichment Collection and the New Book Area, previously housed in the 4th floor east stacks, have been combined and relocated to the front of the library opposite the Info Commons desk. Visitors to the library can now browse the two collections together in a lounge-type environment.

Reshelving Area: A single reshelving area has been created for Langsam Library at the rear of the 4th floor for greater ease and efficiency in locating books not yet returned to the stacks.