One challenge of using the Paley Library is finding a good group study space. There are study rooms on the upper levels and some movie viewing rooms on in the Media Services area, but nothing on the first floor. We have now added the Flex-Study Space, a new area in the Computer Commons on the first floor (west). Located in the corner opposite the News Media Lounge, the Flex-Study Space features folding screens that can be used to quickly create a room for group study. There are folding tables that can be individually or can be joined together into one large table that holds approximately ten people. There is also a computer monitor on the wall into which a student can connect his or her laptop. Please know that this is a study space so we ask that students refrain from using it for social activities such as parties, card games, etc. The Flex-Study space is open to all on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you have questions about the space or need assistance, just stop at the “Ask Here” desk in the Computer Commons.

For a two-week period beginning Monday, August 16, 2010 the Ambler Campus Library is having new carpet installed. The Library will be closed for extended times during this two-week period. While disruptions to service are likely, Library staff are available to answer questions and resolve any difficulties caused by the carpeting work. The computer lab will be available for limited use, but printing may not always be available. Access to the books and other library materials will be addressed on a day-to-day basis. Every effort will be made to fill all requests. Materials from Paley and other libraries being sent to Ambler will be available to our patrons as usual. It is advised that you call ahead if you plan on coming to the library: 267-468-8643 or 267-468-8644 While this project was scheduled for when classes are out of session to minimize the disruption, the Libraries’ administration is aware that this will cause inconvenience for the Temple University community. For that we apologize. Your understanding and patience is greatly appreciated, and the staff of the Ambler Library looks forward to serving the community with a new look for the fall semester.

It came down to the wire and The Paley Perk is the winner of our cafe naming contest. For the last few days of November The Paley Perk and The Study Mug were running neck and neck towards the finish line. But it was ultimately The Paley Perk that took the cup. Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for their favorite cafe name. Look for more information about the grand opening of the cafe in the spring semester when we officially name it The Paley Perk – and we award the grand prize – an 8 gb iPod Touch to the student who came up with the winning name.

Paley Library has added a cafe to its newly renovated first floor computing commons. The cafe provides a library space for students to socialize and eat, and also compute since laptops can connect to the wireless network anywhere in the Library building. What the Library cafe doesn’t have is a name.

We need our students’ help to find a great name for our cafe. To encourage participation the Library and Dining Services are sponsoring a “Name the Space” contest open to all Temple University students. We are looking for the best, cleverest or otherwise catchy name that has a book, reading or library theme to it. There is a great prize for the winner of the contest – an 8 GB ipod. Submit your entry to tudining@temple.edu.

Construction of the new Media Services Department on the lower level of the Paley Library is proceeding on schedule. To allow for some especially disruptive work we will need to close the lower level to the public beginning Friday, August 22. The lower level will re-open on Monday, August 25. During this closure there will be no access to the Urban Archives Department, the microforms collection and much of our government documents collection. Please plan your library research accordingly.

Now that the new carpet is in place we’ll be adding new furniture this week, although you may have noticed the addition of some great new soft seating on the east side of the first floor last week. In addition to some painting work, you’ll see lots of new furniture being assembled all week on the first floor west of Paley Library. Most of this furniture will be for our computer work area. Not only are we adding new furniture but we’ll also be adding more computers to the area. Our new reference desk may be arriving this week as well. We also hope to have our self-service book checkout machines back in place and operating soon.

Renovations are also happening on the lower level of the Paley Library. Currently construction is taking place to create a new service desk area and to add several media viewing/study rooms. During this construction process the lower level is a bit of a mess. We recommend that you explore the second and third floors for good study and computing areas.

Thanks again to the Temple community for their patience and support during our renovation process.