Construction work to provide new technology spaces

July 20, 2015

Clarissa Mansfield

Western Libraries

While there may be fewer students on campus during the summer, things are still busy at Western Libraries. Those on Western Washington University's Bellingham campus this summer may have noticed that two construction projects are currently underway in Haggard Hall that will affect some spaces and services.

Project 1: Digital Media Commons

When completed, the Digital Media Commons will provide an interdisciplinary teaching and working broadcast studio featuring new walls, finishes and cabinets, as well as new broadcast and media equipment. ATUS will manage this new resource, which will be accessible to authorized students and faculty. This public works project is in the midst of heavy construction work on the second floor of Haggard Hall.

As a result:

  • The Mac Lab (HH 245A-B) is currently unavailable.
  • The computer lab in HH233 remains available for use during library hours and can be accessed, with caution, through the hallway adjacent to the construction site.
  • Users of Lab 233 will experience intermittent construction noises, vibrations and possible dirt and dust in the space.
  • The 24-hour study space outside of the library, HH250, is currently being utilized by contractors.
  • Other occupants of spaces in Haggard Hall may also experience intermittent construction noises and vibrations.

Completion of work on this project is currently expected around the start of fall quarter.

Project 2: Research-Writing Studio

This project, funded by a generous private gift, will re-purpose space behind the Student Technology Center service desk on the second floor of Haggard Hall to create a collaborative studio environment that will integrate services and staff of Research Consultation with those of the Writing Center.

This integrated service concept was piloted during spring quarter. Upon completion of this project, the studio space will have the capacity to serve a larger number of students who can receive feedback and assistance while they work. Research consultants and writing assistants will offer incremental, strategy-based consultations while students work individually or collaboratively within this new space.

As a result of this project:

  • The open use computers and printers, currently located behind the STC desk, are being relocated to a more visible location previously occupied by the oversize book stacks and adjacent to the STC lab.  
  • Oversize books have been moved to Wilson Library 267 across from Zoe's.
  • During the coming weeks, work will be underway upgrading power and data required to support the computers and printers.
  • Staging of the various phases of this project will result in some service disruptions including periods when computers being relocated will be unavailable for use. Library staff will be working to minimize these disruptions as much as possible.
  • Users of the affected areas may experience intermittent construction noise and related activity.

Completion of work on this project is expected to be in mid-September.

Those at Western Libraries and the Learning Commons appreciate the patience and understanding of the WWU community during this construction period as work progresses on these exciting new projects.

For more information about summer construction at Western Libraries, contact Frank.Haulgren@wwu.edu.