Library staff prepares to 'book it'

Eastern New Mexico University is working towards replacing the Golden Library with a new $26 million building called the Golden Student Success Center.

Melveta Walker, the director of the library, said the Golden Library has secured $15 million for the project from university commitments and a general obligations bond voted on in November of 2014. The remaining $11 million could be on the general election ballot in November 2016 if the state Legislature deems it so. Until that decision, the start date is up in the air, Walker said.

link Staff photo: Anna George

Matt Velletta, 19, takes books from the shelf on Friday as part of Eastern New Mexico University Golden Library’s weeding program to find if certain books are still needed.

“If they can do all the renovations at the same time, it will be cheaper,” Walker said.

The project will take 18 months to two years once started.

The $15 million previously secured for the project will be used for the infrastructure, including lighting, heating and cooling, expanded internet and wifi, and plumbing, she said.

The library would expand on past resources offered by the library, such as assistance with the school’s Blackboard online class compnent. It will also have temporary, after hours offices for people from the administration building to help students that can only be on campus after 5 p.m. Distance Education will also be located in the new building, Walker said.

She said the new design is similar to the current building, but will have more natural light, improved infrastructure, and the Runnels Room gallery will be made two stories with higher ceilings.

To start towards the renovation process, the library staff has begun weeding out resources, predominantly print and microfilm resources, that are outdated or irrelevant to pass onto their inventory team to be disposed of.

“It is out of our hands once we give them to inventory, but books are not thrown away,” Walker said. “We do not dispose of material that way.”

Walker said the only books they throw away are duplicate journals that have become outdated.

While the library is out of commission, she said, Bernalillo Hall will serve as its temporary base. The residence hall will be the location for personal interactions, including reference, media, special collections, and circulation.

Temporary relocation of the books is still in the works, as Bernalillo Hall is not built for the weight of the books. During the interim period, books would not be available for browsing and must be requested through library staff.

“It would take twice as much space to make it browsable,” Walker said.