Nov. 12, 2009

Physical Science Reading Room to close

by Paula Van Brocklin

Students will have one less study space on campus beginning Dec. 18. That's when ISU Library will permanently close the Physical Sciences Reading Room, located in 208 Office and Laboratory Building.

The closure is part of a campus planning initiative to make better use of limited university resources.

The reading room currently houses collections of chemistry, physics and materials science and engineering journals. The most popular journals will be added to the Parks Library collection after Dec. 18. The remaining journals will be stored indefinitely until additional space becomes available in Parks Library. Library staff will be able to retrieve items from storage upon request.

Subject librarians Heather Lewin (chemistry) and Steve McMinn (physics, materials science and engineering) will continue to service these collections.

The reading room has averaged 2,000 visits per month for the past several years. And while it's a favorite study nook for some students, the long-term impact should be minimal.

"A vast amount of collections, especially in science, are available online," said David Gregory, associate dean for research and access. "And across the street [from the reading room] is Parks Library," where students can study.