By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
People who have visited Fort Carson’s Grant Library recently have undoubtedly noticed some stark changes inside.
The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation library is in the midst of an extensive renovation, which started in September.
Visitors will notice a significant difference the moment they walk inside the building. The entryway carpet has been replaced with tile flooring and the old wooden main desk has been replaced with a shorter, but modern metal design.
The main reading and common area is also more open and inviting as the 8-foot-tall book shelves have been replaced by 4-foot-tall wooden shelving, and modern, comfortable furniture has replaced outdated tables and chairs.
“We actually started renovating back in 2013,” said Cassandra Osuji, library technician and one of the renovation project’s leads. “We began noticing carpet tears in our main work room back then, and we also wanted to create a special area for our teen customers.”
The Fort Carson Education Center played a role in early renovations as well, partnering with local colleges and universities to modernize study rooms off the main reading area. But, extensive renovations waited until funds were available, which happened midway through last year.
Fort Carson’s Directorate of Public Works began the renovation project by replacing the front entrance carpet with tile flooring. Library director Jeff Schiller said the facility closed twice to allow crews to replace carpeting in the children’s area, the computer lab and main conference room, along with replacing the large book shelving in the reading area.
“Pretty much everything in our children’s room has been replaced in the last few months,” Schiller said. “We also replaced all of our computers in the computer lab as well as the circulation desk.”
Though the library may look much different, no structural changes were made. And, the project is still set for another round of renovations this coming May, when the carpet will be replaced in the main reading area and every wall in the building will get a fresh coat of paint.
Though Schiller said the physical changes were absolutely necessary to help the library maintain a fresh look, he also said they fit into how people use library these days. Gone are the days when visitors used a card catalog to search for physical books and periodicals. Digital technology has turned the concept of media consumption in a new direction. Computers and digital files now dominate the media landscape. And the library needs to keep up.
“It’s funny to think back just a few years ago, even,” said Osuji, who has worked at the library for more than 24 years. “I raised my kids in this library, as did many Families who have worked and lived at Fort Carson since Grant opened in the mid-1970s.”
Library staff have begun making changes to the type of programming they’ll offer in the near future as well.
“We’re adding some new styles of programs,” Schiller said. “We’ve got some robotics-coding technology for the younger users and some similar programming for adults and teens that we obtained through the Army library’s Makerspace funding.
Makerspaces are collaborative workspaces used to assist people in making things. They typically employ 3D printers, laser cutters, computer numerical control machines, soldering irons and sewing machines, but don’t necessarily include high technology. The Makerspace idea is to provide hands-on learning that can help people explore their interests while they learn skills.
Schiller said Grant Library’s computer lab gets heavy use.
“We have plans to expand the computer lab through the use of in-house laptops through the next few years,” he said. “A lot of people bring their own lap top in as well and were working with a pilot program that will allow people to print wirelessly.”
So, what do library visitors think of the recent changes?
“We’re really happy with the new renovations, and, we’ve received a lot of positive feedback from users,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2018 12:12 |
| Story ID: | 263229 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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