By ELLA WALTERS and KIMBERLY PILON
Last Monday, September 21, our very own Morse Library unveiled its highly anticipated first floor. Yet, students have questions: why has it taken so long, and was it worth waiting for? We, Ella Walter and Kimberly Pilon, spent time on the aforementioned floor and talked with the library staff to find out for ourselves.
Ted Wilder, Library Director, explained to us what caused the delay of the first floor in our interview on Thursday. In mid-June, construction was completely on track to open the building at the beginning of the fall semester. In late June, this plan was ruined when a flood created ten to twelve inches of standing water, and in early July there was another, smaller flood. As a result, the flooring, some of the walls, materials waiting to be installed, and recent renovations were destroyed. They immediately started action to get the library reopened on time, but it wasn’t possible. Mr. Wilder explained that they had to clean up, order new materials, prevent mold, and get back on the schedule for contractors whose work had already been completed and was now destroyed.
This flood encouraged both Beloit College facilities and the architects working on the project to explore the drainage within and around the library, and they discovered that it was very outdated. Morse Library was originally built in 1961, and renovated in 1991, but it is unclear when drainage was last updated. So, they completely modernized it to protect the library, particularly the important documents and the archives, from future flooding events. Mr. Wilder and Mrs. Draper are very confident in the remodel, and do not anticipate this being a problem in the future. We all know about the water being shut off around campus, but this was irrelevant to the renovations at the library. As for the north lawn, it is currently seeded, but due to winter, all other landscaping will be waiting until spring. They did preserve the oak tree, and it is going to provide excellent shade for students studying, lawn activities, and possible activities on the cement pad.
The first floor adds new aspects to the library that haven’t been around before, while also continuing to hold history within its walls. The grant that paid for ninety percent of the renovation was to create a new space for Impact Beloit, and the college also wanted to include a space for Career Works. Things that are located on the first floor include Library and IT services, book purchasing, DVDs, government documents, a computer lab, an innovation lab, and the college archive. There is also a wellness room which has many uses, such as meditation, lactation, prayer, or just an opportunity for a quiet moment.
We also discussed the rumor swirling around that the library would have flex vending machines like the glorious collection that once occupied Pearson’s. Currently, as some students have discovered, the two machines, one with drinks and one with snacks, near the bathrooms are for cash and card only. Mr. Wilder and Mrs. Draper themselves had no control over the machines and said that the school may be in discussion with getting flex machines but there’s a process with acquiring them.
There was also a rumor of a coffee shop being opened, but with the delay and DK’s being open and supplying food to this side of campus (which was not originally in the plan), that will not be happening. But good news! As soon as electricity is installed, a coffee machine will be put downstairs for any quick caffenation.
Our next question was how students felt about the space, and so while writing this article, both authors spent time on the first floor. From an underclassman perspective [as freshmen who only have this new work-in-progress, and sophomores who knew the powerhouse library] the space is really nice. Things the two of us would really like to see are the vending machines having flex dollars, and comfier work spaces overall.
Ella Walters had the chance to talk to some seniors hanging out at the activity table on the second floor about how they felt about the library and the new first floor. Ella Aizeki‘25, Svea Jones’25, Dhalia Shearer’25 all expressed their love for the library and for the staff’s hard work. When asked if they had any notes for the downstairs, they mentioned the wanting of a cafe or a coffee supplier to which the machine will come in handy. Overarchingly, they expressed the desire to make the space “comfy and cozy”, with less severe lighting, comfier couches, and perhaps games that people could enjoy.
This was great to hear as some students, especially upperclassmen who knew the old library, hold reservations, still missing aspects from before. But, this new space, especially this “community collaboration zone” is really what we make it. In our conversation, Ted Wilder said something along the lines of “we have built walls, which are hard to move, but most of the space is furniture, which can be” emphasizing how this is a flexible space for students to move around and in to create what works best for them.
The library staff would like to remind all students of the noise level differences on the floors. The first floor is a community collaboration(expect high activity and noise), the second floor is interactive learning(expect moderate activity and noise), the third floor is a considerate study zone(expect minimal talking and noise). They are also very excited about the normal activities returning to this space! They are also hoping to reach out to students on what would be useful and beneficial to the student body, as the first floor especially is an open floor plan to allow for adjustments. Feel free to reach out to Ted Wilder(wildert@beloit.edu) or either librarian (drapert@beloit.edu and schiavonem@beloit.edu) if you have suggestions!
So check out the new space if you haven’t and make it your own!
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