Thode Library gets a new look

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BY Catherine Baird

September 16, 2008

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/thode_reno.jpg” caption=”The newly renovated first floor of Thode Library features new seating, study booths and computing tables. Photo by Catherine Baird.”]If you've visited the H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering this month, you've likely noticed that a number of changes have taken place over the summer, the least of which is an updated colour scheme.

A fresh, new open space has been created on the first floor of Thode Library, a welcoming and functional area for new and returning students, faculty and staff. Highlights of the changes and additions include:

  • New and updated soft seating, study booths, computing tables, flooring and decor

  • Two self-checkout machines (coming soon)

  • 70 dual-boot Apple computers (they'll boot up using the Windows or Mac OS)

  • Printing stations

  • 30 Apple laptops available for loan (coming soon)

  • Combined service desk for research help and circulation

  • IT help service available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends

    • “It's pretty cool,” says Thilak, a second-year computer engineering student. “The computers boot up using either Mac or Windows and you have access to the newest technologies!”

    In case you're wondering what's behind the orange curtain, it's the future home of the new cafe in the library, which will open later this fall. Upon completion of the cafe, a total of 100 new study spaces will have been added to the first floor. A naming contest for the cafe is currently underway and will run until Wednesday, Sept. 17. Please check the library website for contest details.

    Though construction will halt temporarily once the cafe is finished, rest assured, there's more to come. Library staff will be working diligently to put new services in place such as grid computing.

    You can look forward to phase two of the Thode renovation, which will take place next summer and will include the construction of a new home for the iSci program on the lower level.

    To keep up to date on news, view more photos, or make a comment about the renovation project, visit the Thode Renovation blog at: thodereno.blog.lib.mcmaster.ca.