News & Announcements

HLRC Previews Go-Live Web Site – Wednesday, 15 March 2006

Dr. Mateo and Dr. Pai, along with Cathy Froloff, were on hand to preview the Division’s newly designed web site, prepared by Ken Lee.  Constructed entirely in Macromedia’s Studio 8, it drew several elements from the Division’s intranet web site which was developed in dotnetnuke, an open source content manager, also designed by Ken.  This first iteration of the web site was designed with expediency uppermost in mind.  With the Accreditation Committee visit just a week away, it was important to provide an online presence.  One of the major hurdles to the web site was the implementation of a remote authentication utility that would enable West’s students and other web site visitors to access the Library’s resources, but that issue was resolved when IT and District worked together over the weekend to enable the utility.  Already looking forward to the next design iteration, Ken already has a couple of designs in mind that will be much more “aesthetic and even more friendly” to use, he says. --KL

HLRC Selects Finishing Interior Design Elements - Thursday, 2 March 2006

Brown. Deep and profound. A brown to get lost in. To luxuriate in. To traverse across the Library lobby on. Staff Chairperson Cathy Froloff “made an executive decision” to select the new carpet color and pattern for the new floor covering that will canvass the HLRC’s first 3 floors.  Also selected were fabrics for task and study chairs, wood grain veneer for new counters, cabinetry, tables, and study carrels.  Representatives of Fields Devereaux Architects and KI Furniture were on hand to help guide the HLRC remodeling committee on its final selections for the new-look make-over, due to take place “well before a year.”  The colors and finishes are both classy and lively, traditional and modern.  The excitement grows. --KL

HLRC Remodeling Delayed – Thursday, 2 February 2006

HLRC remodeling plans have been delayed for another “five to six years,” according to Steve Jacobsen, Turner Construction representative. In the meantime, the HLRC will get a much-needed cosmetic makeover that will include new interior paint, new carpet, and new furniture for student use. While staffers won’t be getting new furniture (with the exception of office task chairs), they are mollified with the makeover. More than one staff member expressed the opinion that it doesn’t look as if the building will ever get the remodeling it so desperately needs in order to accommodate incoming generations of students. The new plans call for more efficiently utilized space; additional book shelving, student furniture, study rooms, and lab space; and upgraded infrastructure for electrical, elevators, plumbing, and advancing technology. Other staffers are just as happy with remaining in the existing shell. The delay puts off the pain of relocating to and working in a temporary facility and returning. Several staffers look forward to staying in familiar digs for a few extra years. At least one staff member was calculating a retirement unburdened by a major work transition. --KL

Library Staffers Wish Gaynelle "Au Revoir" - Wednesday, 14 December 2005

Library staff staged a surprise luncheon to honor Gaynelle Bennett for her more than 12 years of continuous service and to launch her into her golden retirement.  Totally taken by surprise (library staff know how to keep things quiet), Gaynelle was tickled pink by the event.  "Everybody brought food that I love--it's so thoughtful."  Singled out for special attention was the roast duck which went fast.  Other of Gaynelle's favorites are KFC fried chicken, spaghetti and meat balls, and chocolate cake.  Talk about comfort food.  When asked about her reasons for retirement (as if 12+ years weren't enough), Gaynelle cited the increased time and traffic to and from work--something we can identify with.  During her time with the Library, Gaynelle has brought a equanimity to Library circulation operations, her patience with students and staff exemplary.  Entrusted with the primary responsibility of the audio-visual collection, Gaynelle generated and maintained a thorough catalog of its holdings and was instrumental in helping the Library identify and process a-v resources for closed captioning, a project that her successor (if there is one, given the current state of college finances), will continue and complete.--KL

Library Intranet Site Premieres - Wednesday, 19 October 2005

      The Library kicks off its first official intranet website for the WLAC community today.  Previous versions were unofficial stabs at learning the features of the content manager.  "The learning curve always applies when you learn a new software application," says Ken Lee, the library's web designer, "and this one is no exception, as skinny as it is.  There are a few features I wish it [the campus-supported content manager] had--it's a bit constricting--but I think its latitude might be expanded with an infusion of FrontPage elements.  Or maybe not.  We'll find out."  The intranet site forms the basis for the Library's new Internet website; please contact Ken with any suggestion or comment. --KL

LRC Remodelling Project - Wednesday, 28 September 2005 

      Divisional staff met yesterday to sign off on final schematics for the newly remodelled HLRC building.  An eleventh-hour meeting (at 7:30 in the morning!) called by Dr. Doris Givens, West's interim president, a few weeks ago to forestall a rush-to-judgment allowed staff to provide necessary and valuable input into what turned out to be premature plans.  The Library is indebted to her foresight and masteful handling of the matter.  Cathy Froloff, division chair, and Elisabeth Jordan, representing the Learning Center department, along with members of Fields Devereaux (architectural firm) and Turner Construction affixed their approval to the document.  Also in attendance for the division to offer suggestions were Ken Lee, Judy Chow, John Titus, and Lyuba Tsalolikhin for the Library and Diane Matsuno and Ted Pointer for the Learning Center. The final schematics incorporating changes made on Tuesday will be drawn and forwarded to the president for her imprimatur.
      Now that the schematics are finalized, attention now turns to the detailed set of blueprints stipulating technological, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and other infrastructural matters, as well as furniture, shelving, equipment, and interior design elements. 
      The newly remodelled building will capture space efficiencies the current space ignores and will actually grow westward at its base, the first floor.  The walls around the Learning Center are scheduled to receive a glazing treatment to allow passersby to view the activitity within; at night, it will cast an illuminated presence like a giant glowing lamp into the Quad.
      The Library above will also grow, not out, but up.  In order to optimize use-able student space on the second and third floors, the Library's workroom will move to the fourth floor where it will share space with classrooms and a multi-purpose meeting room.  Students will have more individual study desks, group study tables, and study rooms (in three sizes!).  The Library Instructional Research Lab (LIRL) and the Library's classroom (LIRC) will also expand, the latter more than doubling its current seating capacity.  More shelving is on tap as well to accommodate a burgeoning book collection.
      Also requiring attention is the identification of swing space to facilitate temporary divisional services during remodelling.  As construction costs continue to skyrocket in the current economy, money has evaporated for the originally planned space at the gravelled parking lot across from Harold Connolly field.   
      Indeed, these are exciting and interesting times for library and learning center staff.
--KL