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Message
What should LSU do about Middleton?
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:08 am
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:08 am
Just got done reading this pretty damning indictment of the abhorrent state of Middleton Library.
Although not without a certain endearing quality, Middleton library is obviously a complete dump.
Eventually, LSU is going to have to do something about it. You can't have a supposedly flagship research university with a library that has amenities on par with a Cambodian prison. But what none of the people like the author of that editorial are talking about is that the future of libraries and reading in general is changing. Who knows if in 5-10 years, we will still use paper books for research even in theory? (As a practical matter, the days of using paper books for research are already gone.)
What do you think LSU should do about Middleton? Personally, I'd like to see them completely raze it, so the central campus could have its original cruciform layout. Then, they should build a modern, state of the art library that is more focused on computer/internet research somewhere maybe over around Nicholson extension or Gourrier.
Obviously this will cost millions of dollars for a university system that can barely keep the lights on right now, but you have to figure that eventually they will fix this because it's so politically embarrassing to have such a shitty facility at what is in theory supposed to be the heart of any research institution.
Although not without a certain endearing quality, Middleton library is obviously a complete dump.
Eventually, LSU is going to have to do something about it. You can't have a supposedly flagship research university with a library that has amenities on par with a Cambodian prison. But what none of the people like the author of that editorial are talking about is that the future of libraries and reading in general is changing. Who knows if in 5-10 years, we will still use paper books for research even in theory? (As a practical matter, the days of using paper books for research are already gone.)
What do you think LSU should do about Middleton? Personally, I'd like to see them completely raze it, so the central campus could have its original cruciform layout. Then, they should build a modern, state of the art library that is more focused on computer/internet research somewhere maybe over around Nicholson extension or Gourrier.
Obviously this will cost millions of dollars for a university system that can barely keep the lights on right now, but you have to figure that eventually they will fix this because it's so politically embarrassing to have such a shitty facility at what is in theory supposed to be the heart of any research institution.
This post was edited on 1/30/16 at 11:09 am
22
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:10 am to LSUTigersVCURams
Burn all the books and start over.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:11 am to LSUTigersVCURams
Bulldoze it and build a dunkin donuts
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:11 am to LSUTigersVCURams
quote:
What should LSU do about Middleton?
Dismantle or remodel completely to look like the surrounding buildings.
Preferably the building should be demolished and the library moved somewhere nearby.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:24 am to LSUTigersVCURams
More glory holes
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:26 am to LSUTigersVCURams
People may not use libraries as they have in the past for physical books, but it's still where students go to study or work on projects together. Middleton is definitely embarrassing and needs to be either demolished or undergo a huge renovation including a change to its outward appearance. Personally I like having it in the heart of campus and wouldn't like to see the library somewhere on the periphery of campus.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:27 am to LSUTigersVCURams
quote:
Who knows if in 5-10 years, we will still use paper books for research even in theory? (As a practical matter, the days of using paper books for research are already gone.)
While I agree that books and paper are ridiculously tedious for research, to restrict your bibliography to digital media only could completely invalidate your findings...There is no way everything available on a topic will ever be digitized.
I don't see ANY university doing away with their physical inventory in favor of pdf, txt, etc. However, this inventory, as it is utilized less and less, does not need to be taking up space in the Quad even now. It should relocated to a less central part of campus and the space utilized for a much greater need to students.
Like a 20-floor parking garage.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:31 am to LSUTigersVCURams
I liked Middleton. I used it so much for my research. It was great. I'd run up the stairs to the top floor and could walk exactly to where in the stacks my books were. And if I wrote the number down wrong, I'd just browse the 3 sets of shelves and eventually find it!
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:34 am to LSUTigersVCURams
Convert it to an on-campus Reggie's.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:37 am to LSUTigersVCURams
Wait, you mean to tell me there was a library at lsu?
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:40 am to LSUTigersVCURams
quote:
Then, they should build a modern, state of the art library that is more focused on computer/internet research somewhere maybe over around Nicholson extension or Gourrier.
So LSU should embrace the digital realities of the modern world by building a digital library out in BFE and leave the campus woefully underequipped with computer labs?
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:40 am to LSUTigersVCURams
At least it does not have the bathroom situation like Coates did
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:51 am to LSUTigersVCURams
Libraries are increasingly a thing of the past. I would like to see a reduction in the number of bound volumes (of course with those materials available online), and have Middleton renovated into a state of the art digital library - perhaps some space could be carved out for a data center as well, to get some additional utility out of the space.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:54 am to LSUTigersVCURams
I remember seeing an article a while back that compared libraries at SEC schools. LSU's library paled in comparison to just about everyone else's library. It was almost embarrassing.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:56 am to LSUTigersVCURams
Obviously we should build a lazy river through it.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 11:58 am to LSUTigersVCURams
Demolish it, old Kerby Smith (new Kerby was just completed out front), and Locket, and build a new library where Locket was.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 12:35 pm to LSUTigersVCURams
Every building in the quad is old and crappy.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 12:36 pm to LSUTigersVCURams
That athletic facility doe
Posted on 1/30/16 at 12:36 pm to NorfolkTiger
Maybe so, but they are old, crappy, beautiful, and functional. Middleton is of the former two without being of the latter pair.
Posted on 1/30/16 at 12:45 pm to LSUTigersVCURams
The school spent a lot of money in the past ten years to renovate the first floor. I think it is in decent shape. However, it's been quite a while since I've ventured upstairs.
With regards to keeping paper copies of literature needed for research, my department has a small library of its own. Perhaps this would be the better way to go. Carve out smaller library/study spaces throughout the buildings of each department.
The larger central meeting areas for students can already be serviced by the student union. You don't need a formal library for this.
With regards to keeping paper copies of literature needed for research, my department has a small library of its own. Perhaps this would be the better way to go. Carve out smaller library/study spaces throughout the buildings of each department.
The larger central meeting areas for students can already be serviced by the student union. You don't need a formal library for this.
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