The Thode Renovation Project is in a quiet phase awaiting further funding. The Library does hope to make a few upgrades to the first floor over the summer, most notably the removal of the temporary structure and old service desk. In addition, we hope to do some shifting of collections to make better use of our storage facility on the Lower Level.
We found that we’ve been missing some of the comments coming in to this blog, so we’ve decided to turn the commenting feature off for the present. If you have a comment you’d like to share with us about Thode, please submit it to the library’s main online suggestion box.
Construction continues on Phase II of the Thode Library’s multi-year Renovation Project. As part of this phase, the silent study carrels have been relocated to the Lower Level. The new space will feature a state-of-the-art interactive classroom and the new home for the Integrated Science Program (iSci).
When work is complete, the North wing of the floor will be refitted as a student workspace for iSci. The centre core area will house iSci offices (including space for the new Director, Dr. Carolyn Eyles, two new faculty members (Dr. Sarah Symons and Dr. Chad Harvey) and Andrew Colgoni, the new Science Fluencies Librarian). The West wing will be converted into the new classroom to be shared by the Library and iSci.
If all goes as planned, we expect the classroom to be available for use by iSci and the Library by mid September. The offices and student work room will be ready for use late September or early October.
Watch this space for more updates on the 3rd floor construction.
Just a reminder that Thode’s hours are:
Monday to Friday 8am – midnight
Saturday 10:30am – 6pm
Sunday 10:30 – 11pm
The H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering turns 30 this year and we’re getting together to celebrate! Please join us for the birthday celebration as well as the celebration of the completion of phase one of the renovation project at 11am on the 2nd of December near the brand new café on the 1st floor of Thode Library.
Thode, which officially opened its doors in November 1978, is undergoing a dramatic multi-year transformation. Spaces and services are being redesigned to better support the teaching, learning and research needs of a 21st century campus. The changes are being introduced in stages as funding becomes available. The immediate impact has been dramatic.
The new space features state-of-the-art public computing areas. Students visiting the Thode Library now have access to 70 new dual-boot Mac computers, wireless access and printing hubs. For increased flexibility and convenience, 30 new Mac laptops are now available for loan from the service desk. A self-check machine has been installed near the entrance to allow visitors to sign out their own materials.
The renovated space includes comfortable and functional seating areas to encourage both group discussion and quiet reflection. Students gravitate toward the new study booths, modeled after the furnishings typically seen in a 1950’s dinner.
The new Reactor Café, inspired by the research interests of Dr. Harry Thode, the Library’s namesake), has become a popular spot since it opened on November 24. Students and staff are sure to appreciate the convenience of being able to purchase food on site – especially during the busy exam periods.
During the next few months, the Library will introduce an innovative new concept in service design. The Information Technology Help, Reference and Ciculation Desks (formerly spread out over two floors) are being brought together in a single location on the 1st floor near the entrance. Visitors will be able to get help starting a research paper, resolving a computer problem or borrowing a book – all from the same service area.
Future phases will include the introduction of several new group study rooms, instruction spaces, practice presentation spaces (where students can rehearse their presentations) and a small auditorium. The new Thode Library will become the home to iSci, the new Integrated Science Program being introduced at McMaster in September 2009. McMaster’s Centre for Leadership in Learning (CLL) and Learning Technology Research Centre (LTRC) will provide teaching support to faculty and graduate students from newly-designed space on the 2nd floor.
Please join us to celebrate both the 30th birthday of the H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering as well as the completion of phase one of the renovation.
When: 11am, December 2, 2008
Where: 1st floor, Thode Library
Refreshments while supplies last! First come-first served.
The café in the newly renovated H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering is one step closer to completion thanks to Michael Duong, winner of the Thode Café Naming Contest. The café has been dubbed “The Reactor”, a name suggested by Michael to befit the subjects of science and engineering, as well as the research interests of Dr. Thode, the namesake of the library.
According to Michael, a McMaster student in his final year of a PhD program in Medical Sciences, the name was suggested “because I wanted the name to be something special — one that couldn’t be generically applied to a café in another library.” After doing some research on Dr. Thode, and discovering that his area of research involved radioactive isotopes, “The Reactor” was an obvious selection.
As winner of the naming contest, Michael received a new iPod and the satisfaction that his “The Reactor” will be a part of McMaster Library for years to come. Other participants in the contest were entered into a draw for a new printer. Max Gomes, a 5th year Mechanical Engineering student, won the draw. According to Max, winning the printer “was great, it’s much better than the old one I picked up on my student budget.”
The café, which will be a Far Coast location, is set to be completed sometime this term. In addition to offering premium fair trade coffee the café will serve Panini sandwiches, hot soup, and gourmet grab ‘n go items. A launch party for the café will be planned following its completion.
Picture: Kathy Ball, Director of the H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering and contest winner, Michael Duong
Self check out is now available at Thode. If you have books to sign out give the new machine a try and avoid the lineups at the Service Desk.
IT help has moved to the first floor of Thode and is providing assistance for longer hours:
Monday to Friday: 11 am to 9 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12 noon to 5 pm
Laptops for loan! Thode now has 30 Apple laptops (and a projector) that can be signed out for 4 hours.
If you’ve visited the H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering this September, you’ve likely noticed that a number of changes have taken place over the summer, the least of which is an updated colour scheme!
A fresh, new open space has been created on the first floor of Thode Library, a welcoming and functional area for new and returning students, faculty and staff. Highlights of the changes and additions include:
“It’s pretty cool,” says second year computer engineering student, Thilak. “The computers boot up using either Mac or Windows and you have access to the newest technologies!”
In case you’re wondering what’s behind the orange curtain, it’s the future home of the new cafe in the library, which will open later this fall. Upon completion of the cafe, a total of 100 new study spaces will have been added to the first floor. A naming contest was recently held and the new name will be announced soon.
Though construction will halt temporarily once the café is finished, rest assured, there’s more to come. Library staff will be working diligently to put new services in place such as grid computing.
You can look forward to phase two of the Thode renovation, which will take place next summer and will include the construction of a new home for the iSci program on the lower level.
There’s a new cafe opening in the H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering this Fall and this is your chance to name it! The winning entry will receive an iPod nano and, in addition, all entries will be entered into a draw to win a printer.
Email your entry, including your full name, to bairdca@mcmaster.ca by September 17th for a chance to win. Contest rules are as follows:
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