Director of Campus Libraries Artemis Kirk, who took office in August, hopes “to bring the library to the level of excellence of the University.” Kirk spoke in a discussion session Tuesday evening, adding that in her first sixth months, she has developed a vision to expand the libraries’ collections and to improve facilities.
According to Kirk, the concept of a digital library is in the University’s future, so technological improvements are a necessity for any library hoping to keep up.
“We’d like to be there, ready to change or perhaps leading the change,” Kirk said.
Enhancing the current collections is in the forefront of her mind, Kirk said. The Georgetown library system needs to expand in both print and digital format, she said.
“We want to add depth, breadth and scope to our collections,” Kirk said.
With the ever-changing digital world, some people question whether or not libraries will be needed in the future, said Kirk. She affirmed the need for physical libraries in the future, even with the advancing digital technology.
Kirk said that the usefulness of the campus libraries is a priority for her administration. According to Kirk, the libraries have an obligation to provide seating for a certain number of undergraduate and graduate students. Seating can not be compromised to add shelving space, another area where the library wants to expand, she said.
The library administration is currently looking for a nearby storage facility for the extra volumes, Kirk said. In the future, Kirk is hoping for either a new library or an addition to the existing facility.
Kirk said she wants to create a user- friendly atmosphere in the campus libraries. She said she is considering the feasibility of another More Uncommon Grounds in Lauinger Library. Currently, the library administration is working with the student association to plan for a community and coffee room on the second floor.
The plan to improve the usefulness of the library includes the decision to keep the library open 24 hours a day during the week and until 3 a.m. on the weekends.
“This library, I’m happy to say, is used a lot,” said Kirk.
Kirk said that she wants to preserve the beauty and elegance of the library. “The library is beginning to look a little tired and we would like to revive it,” Kirk said.
In May, the exterior of the library is going to be power washed, which Kirk said she hopes will improve the aesthetic nature of the building.
