Chair/Lead: Ezra Plemons

Members: Natalie Berg- Wall, Megan Norman, Dan Beach, Don Bezanson, Dana Thompson, Jane Campbell, Karen Olson, Joanna Hunt

The Problem

Our spaces are not welcoming and positive places for all that we serve. While intentions were never to exclude, the spaces were not intentionally designed to include. The spaces currently reflect only the historical majority members of the community and do not reflect our current community. Additionally, some of the spaces may not be accessible to all members of our community.

Goals

Create a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment for all members of our community and work to continually refresh the spaces to maintain this environment.

Actions Taken

1. Reconstitute a Space Working Group to continually audit and improve LITS spaces, with an eye toward inclusivity and accessibility and the evolving use of the physical library space. 

2. Identify and address physical accessibility issues for St. Olaf Libraries facilities including physical space, open hours, maps, and signage.
3. Investigate and recommend best methods for signage and communications of Library policies and events and access to resources, as well as signage that welcomes visitors to our spaces.4. Identify ways to use art and color to improve the atmosphere of our spaces
5. Continue plans to co-locate student academic services and support as appropriate.

Accomplishments so Far 

The Space Planning Strategic Planning team wrote a report in January 2020. Items from that report which have been accomplished are:
1. Space Audits: A physical space audit of both Rolvaag Library by Environmental Health & Safety was completed in February 2021. Issues relating to signage, extension cords, and the use of floor fans were identified and resolved.
2. Usage tracking: A occupancy tracking system was installed in Rolvaag Library in Fall 2020, and should be installed at the Music Library during the 2022 academic year. Data collected from this system will help inform services related to hours of operation and users needs.