Fondren Library Renovated Study Rooms
We have just completed the renovation of 24 study rooms! All of the rooms feature modern desks, in round or rectangular shapes, comfortable ergonomic chairs, and a stain-resistant carpeting.
The color palette includes green, turquoise blue, and a magnificent purple, all of which are picked up in the carpet. Some of the rooms feature dimmable lighting, and all of the rooms have been painted. In the next few weeks, special screened acoustical tiles with bright and interesting photos by University Photographer, Jeff Fitlow, will be added to the rooms. Images feature student life, and close-up features from around the Rice campus. The study room renovations were guided strongly by student focus groups that were held in July 2013. Some of the important features that students asked for were: bright lighting, office-style chairs, and different flexible layouts for the rooms. Students highly recommended that there be adequate space around the tables to move around, and that the chairs should be able to easily slide under the tables.
The rooms were taken off of the study room reservation system in late May, and will be returning to the reservation system, for students to check out, starting today. Over the next few months photos in the study room reservation system will be updated to reflect the new rooms. Also, rooms will be categorized by attributes to help students pick the perfect room for the way they study.
A great gallery of photos has been set up by Jeff Koffler here: http://1drv.ms/1nKa2yC
The food and drink policy, going into effect on October 1st, will help these rooms stay fresh.