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The fall semester saw the launch of several newly renovated spaces in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library. On October 27, we officially dedicated our new Scholars Commons, a remodeled study space designed for our students. This renovation was supported by a donation from John Cooper (’72, MA ’73) and his wife Lynn Eickholt (’74). The new space accommodates over 100 students with a variety of seating and plenty of outlets. In addition, the level 5 mezzanine received “Brody chairs,” dubbed the “business class” of study seating. On November 17, we held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the Bill Dickinson family’s generous contribution to name one of the Atrium alcoves located on Wilson 6. The alcoves feature new comfy chairs and marker-board tables and are already popular study spaces.

We also opened new spaces for the Teaching & Learning Collaborative and Digital Scholarship on the sixth floor of the Wilson Wing last October. The floor includes an active learning classroom, project spaces and a new faculty lounge. ZSR and TLC hosted a campus-wide open house January 22 with tours and a reception.

With all of those improvements, what is next in the coming year? We are collaborating with Information Systems to create a “one-button” studio in the Bridge. Students and faculty will be able to easily create videos in the studio using pre-set recording options. Over the winter break, the Wilson Wing restrooms on levels 2 and 6 were renovated, and the ones on levels 1 and 4 are slated for renewal later this spring. This summer we plan to remodel the study rooms on level 2 of the Reynolds Wing. We will also continue to replace and upgrade furniture with flexible and ergonomic options.

At ZSR, we are committed to supporting your teaching, research and learning needs. We welcome your ideas and suggestions as we strive to make sure ZSR meets the needs of our students and faculty.