October 31, 2024
Dacus Library Dean Jackie McFadden speaks of her hopes for the library, along with the requests of student patrons, including new study spaces, a cafe and an updated entrance.
The Ida Jane Dacus Library has recently joined the many ongoing projects outlined in Winthrop University’s Campus Master Plan, beginning its planning stage this October by collaborating with students and the staff of the library.
Jackie McFadden, dean of Dacus Library and staff member since 2002, commented on the upcoming project with hope, saying “We want to create a dynamic and inviting library that brings students in but also has areas for quiet study and collaborative learning.”
The university is just beginning this renovation, dedicating time to combine the efforts and voices of library staff, students, and experienced architects to create an ideal space on campus and bring renewal to the 1969 building.
McFadden explained that through their communication with students and staff via focus groups and open houses, the architects on the project are designing a diagram for the building which will transfer back and forth between the dean, her staff and Facilities Management until a satisfactory plan is finalized. There is no definite timeline for the project yet, and McFadden says “It’s not going to start right away.”
In noting the basic premise of the project, McFadden said, “Our building does have some maintenance needs that need to be addressed [. . .] we also want to create better spaces for students for studying and collaboration.” In reference to the project’s funding the Dean said that “the state is giving us some money for renovations.”
Similar to the preparation process for the Campus Master Plan as a whole, an open house for the library was held on Oct. 17 where students could speak with the architects of the project, leave suggestions on post-it notes and view photos of other university libraries that the designated architects had previously completed.
Anne Macklin, a Sophomore business major at Winthrop who frequents the Dacus Library, had some suggestions for the upcoming renovation.
Her first recommendation involved “bigger whiteboards on the wall or whiteboard tables to write on.” Continuing, “There’s nowhere to study that is conducive to practicing things like math or bigger problems.” While Macklin understands how the library can be helpful for writing essays and performing research, she has a harder time preparing for math and science classes in the spaces Dacus provides.
Dean McFadden also had some notes on suggestions from students, saying, “Students want a cafe [. . .] there’s no food on this side of Oakland Avenue. When they’re in the library and they’re studying in their favorite space they don’t want to leave the library to get something and lose their spot.” This is not an uncommon addition, alluding that “the one at USC is very popular.”
Students also expressed a desire for “cozy spaces to study and more group spaces.” These would be “like little reading nooks that are contained but not in rooms, to make it [the library] feel more comfortable.”
McFadden continued, “Students talked about installing better lights, potentially on desks, instead of the overhead fluorescent lights.”
Aside from these aesthetic changes, both Macklin and Dean McFadden identified some problem areas of the Dacus Library they would like renovations to address.
Macklin said, “They should start with the bathroom. I’ve seen roaches in there [. . .] it’s really gross.”
Macklin additionally noted the tables in the individual study rooms on the upstairs floor, which she finds to be in poor condition, “making people not want to use them as much.” She would also like to see updates to the current A/C system, a large wall unit that can be loud at times. Macklin would like Facilities to “fix the weird sound it makes which can be very disruptive when I am trying to study.”
Dean McFadden seconded these complaints about the study rooms, saying that she is focused on “creating additional student spaces [. . .] Our study rooms are often full, and we could use more group study rooms and individual study rooms.”
Another area of Dacus Library slated for potential improvement is the front entrance “to make it more appealing and welcoming.”
When asked about their interest in new technology for the Dacus Library, both individuals responded with enthusiasm.
Macklin expressed interest in lendable iPads or tablets which students could use to study with or check out for their classes.
The dean said, “I would like to include new technology. We do have a limited budget, and we have to work within that budget [but] I would like for us to have technology that students can use and just experiment with.” This technology would allow for exploration and creativity without academic pressure or stress.
Centering students and actual patrons of the library seems to be a primary concern in this planning process. Macklin said that while she hoped student opinion would be taken into account for the renovation, in her experience “the school thinks it knows what’s best and it often does not.”
McFadden had an opposing perspective, saying, “We haven’t had a lot of interaction with the architects yet [but] they met with everyone, they talked about our concerns and our wishes and they did seem very inclusive and very concerned about how we work.” The dean stressed the collaborative spirit of the chosen architects and that she “felt good about it” so far.
Time will tell how this project goes, but given the current preparations, it seems most students should have an addition to look forward to in Winthrop’s historic study space.
