This year, Holman Library is celebrating ten years in its present building. With the move to the new building, the library left behind an approximately 20,000 square foot space and mushroomed into its new 60,000 square foot building. Library and media services are provided on both floors: however, we share this space with the Help Center and part of the Information Technology department. In addition, the Holman Library building includes Project Teach, the Helen S. Smith Gallery, and several computer classrooms.
The photograph on the left appeared in The Current on April 19, 1996 and shows what the library looked like eight months prior to opening day.
The photograph on the right appeared in The Current on December 2nd, 1996 and shows the Information Commons tables being assembled. (This photograph, like the top one, was taken by Fred Dimaano.)
We call the second floor of the library the Information Commons and it contains over 140 networked workstations which provide access to various online databases, Microsoft Office, and the Internet. Before our move in 1997, there were approximately 12 computers for student use available in the old library. Above is a current photograph taken by Ann Lovell early one morning, before the rush of students arrive at 7AM.
Back in 1997 one of our goals was to buy specialized programs for foreign language and foreign exchange students. We finally accomplished that last year with the addition of Rosetta Stone, language-learning software used by government agencies, major corporations, and colleges and universities worldwide. The languages available to GRCC users through Rosetta Stone include: English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, and Japanese.
Another goal was to add databases for social science, psychology, applied science and biology. We now have over thirty research databases including three large general databases which cover all disciplines. In addition we have subject-specific databases for biography, business, careers, education, health, history, and literature. If it weren’t for the student technology fee, which was approved at the time we moved into the new building, the library would not be able to provide this wealth of databases.
In 1997 we envisioned a future collection of 40,000 volumes. We now have over 56,000 volumes in the collection, along with about 300 periodical subscriptions. Something we could not have envisioned ten years ago is our collection of 4400 electronic books and our database of electronic reference books.
Another thing we could not have envisioned ten years ago was the appeal of our building. We have students working individually, in groups, and simply using the library as a meeting place between classes. Daily we have 2750 patrons in our library and, as a result, we have had to retrofit a silent study space on the first floor to provide a place for those trying to avoid the noise upstairs.
