By Julie Branham
The newly expanded Ekstrom Library is just what University of Louisville students have been looking for. Since its opening on March 20, Ekstrom’s new wing has been bustling with visitors looking to reap the benefits of this state-of-the-art facility.
One of the wing’s popular features is the Tulip Tree Cafe, located on the library’s first floor facing Third Street. There are eight computers in the cafe plus wireless access. So, if students are looking to kick back with a cup of coffee while getting some homework done, Tulip Tree is the place to do it. The cafe also offers a menu of sandwiches and pastries and accepts meal cards.
“[Tulip Tree] is really nice and relaxing,” said senior Chimsom Oleka. “It is much brighter and has an inviting atmosphere.”
According to representatives at Tulip Tree Cafe, business has been very steady, but there are still those who prefer the former Ritazza coffee to Tulip Tree’s signature Starbucks coffee.
“There have been a few people complain[ing] because of Starbucks’ controversy with fair trade coffee,” said senior cafe worker Katie Pearis. “But overall, business has been crazy.”
The library expansion is bringing students much more than coffee and cake, though. It is changing the way they study and retrieve information. There are several study rooms and a designated 24-hour study lounge in the new wing that can be accessed after-hours by using your Cardinal Card. The later hours have already benefited many students.
“It is what we have needed for a long time,” senior Jared Hickey said. “I feel that I am able to get so much more work done than when the entire library closed at 12 (midnight).”
Dean of University Libraries Hannelore Rader feels that not only will the new wing provide a productive study environment, it will also give the student body a place to relax and socialize.
“We have many spaces for students to study in comfort, but having a place to sit and socialize is also important,” Rader said. “We really want this to be a place for the students.”
Several students are impressed with the floor-to-ceiling windows in the new study lounge, saying it creates a more user-friendly study environment.
“The windows are my favorite thing about the study lounge – you don’t feel like you’re trapped when you’re trying to study,” said sophomore Staci Calamaio.
While the windows, the additional computers and the new furniture are certainly incentives for students to come study in the library, there are a few areas which can be improved, according to students.
“I really wish they would get some printers,” said senior Trey Jacobs. “I couldn’t print when I came in here after midnight to work on a project.”
Senior Matt Cummins said the air conditioning (or lack thereof) was problematic. “I like to study away from my (dorm) room, but sometimes it’s really hot in here.”
Overall, though, most students are impressed with the library extension.
“This is such an awesome place to come study,” said senior Michelle Sarlls.
Not only do students have easier access to quiet study lounges, they also have easier access to information. A portion of the $1.4 million building budget was allotted to the creation of the Robotic Retrieval System (RRS). By using RRS, visitors can access 600,000 books and journals with the touch of a button, and that number is continually growing. “We were running out of shelf space for materials,” Rader said. “With the robotic storage system, we will eventually be able to store 1.2 million volumes.”
U of L is the first university in the south to implement the Robotic Retrieval System. It is the seventh in the nation.
“It definitely makes our job a lot easier,” said Samantha Culbertson, a student library worker.
In addition to a new cafe and study lounge, the wing is now home to the McConnell Center and the Elaine L. Chao Auditorium which seats 160 people.
– Features Editor Glypie Grider contribute to this story.
