Environments

Drexel faculty are invited to join colleagues and liaison librarians for the opening of a renovated space in W. W. Hagerty Library. Research Connections, Room 210, is a designated faculty space within the library that provides faculty a collaborative environment for researchers from across the University to gather to reflect, share, present, and/or discuss research, interdisciplinary ideas or projects of mutual interest.

How does space, beyond classrooms and labs, influence learning? Measuring and explaining this has been the challenge our leadership team faces as we attempt to determine how the Libraries can gauge its contribution to the University’s strategic plan, specifically in the areas of academic excellence and improvement of the student experience.

This is a challenging question for which no commonly accepted practices or standards apply.

Increased seating and improved utilization of space are the focus of a proposed renovation to W. W. Hagerty Library. After months of planning, library staff, along with campus planners and administrators and the architectural firm Kling Stubbins, have proposed ways to address these objectives.

“Although these are not finalized plans, I am excited by the possibility to add about 300 additional seats to the library – while increasing the flexibility of the space and improving traffic flow and decreasing noise,” said Danuta A. Nitecki, dean of libraries.

Faculty and staff from across campus work collaboratively to support student achievement of Drexel's Student Learning Priorities [DSLP] in a new learning environment in the lower level of W. W. Hagerty Library. The space, room L25, opened on Thursday, November 15th, to provide a place for members of the DSLP Collaborative Partnerships group to work together to provide programming and support for student learning.

Already, the Drexel Writing Center [DWC], the English Language Center [ELC] and the Libraries have partnered on a pilot program, providing enhanced tutoring and support for international students. Students who take advantage of this opportunity receive focused writing, language and research guidance.

A Rendering of how 33rd Street will look after Renovations

Construction began on Thursday, August 9th for a project that will transform the outdoor space on the 33rd Street side of W. W. Hagerty Library. The project focuses on the existing porch area outside of the Bookmark Café and will provide more than double the current outside seating options, offering a more scenic outdoor workspace for the community.

Part of the Drexel Master Plan, construction for the project is expected to last between 3 – 4 weeks. During this time the library is remain open, but the sidewalk and outdoor space on the 33rd Street side of the building are closed. Signage and safety fencing is in place to detour pedestrians around the construction area. Entrances to W. W. Hagerty Library and the Bookmark Café are remain open throughout construction and be accessible during regular hours.

Four key directions will shape the future of Drexel University Libraries as a vibrant learning enterprise advancing the University’s investment in academic excellence, improvement of the student experience, creative research, growing enrollment and enhanced global impact.

“I am pleased to share the Libraries’ Strategic Plan and am grateful to its many contributors,” said Danuta A. Nitecki, dean of Libraries.

Over 60 individuals energetically engaged in the planning process at a July 2011 Future Search Conference, which explored how the Libraries can advance the University's transformation. Since then, many individuals have helped to shape and articulate the plan to identify the four directions, tagged as; access, environments, connections and organization