The Northwest Corner Building (NWC) is 14 stories tall and includes a cafe, 7 research lab floors, 164 seat lecture hall and links Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Engineering and Biology departments. The library was part of the plan to provide a convenient access to information and collaborative study space. http://facilities.columbia.edu/node/1328/1331
The library contains room for 345 students and researchers.
Free, D. Columbia opens new Science and Engineering Library. College & Research Library News. 72(3), 128-131. Retrieved from http://crln.acrl.org/content/72/3/128.full.pdf+html
A special part of the library is the Digital Science Center featuring 50 high end computer workstations optimized to display 3D models and animation and arranged to facilitate individual as well as collaborative research. A package of over 60 software programs support molecular rendering, spatial imagery and graphing. Rooms with special equipment allow students and faculty to practice their presentation skills.
http://www.engineering.columbia.edu/new-science-engineering-library-opens
The Digital Science Center is especially exciting. Eventhough the cost of computers have decreased, I have seen the high end computer workstations which have the extra processing power and graphic cards to support complex visualization software. In the medical library where I had worked, many of the researchers and faculty were drawn to the software in the library and a bioinformatics expert who had an office in the library and offered training and consultation services.
ReplyDeletewow! i love your page carol! :) and yes, i do agree. with technology advancing today, i notice medical students are learning more through visual technology. If something can't be seen with the naked eye, they'll use medical technology and computer software to display complex images and videos.
ReplyDeleteThat library looks awesome! It looks like everything that it represents. I would really love to visit this library. It's great to see how much they have to offer the students and researchers. Do you have any idea where they get their funding and how much they usually receive?
ReplyDeleteAh, I am drooling over that Digital Science Center. I know so many science students who would love to have access to something like that. I would have killed for 3D animated models during Biochem! What a cool-sounding place.
ReplyDeleteI have a huge soft spot for anything related to engineering libraries. The building looks beautiful - it embraces modern architecture. Thanks for sharing this information!
ReplyDeleteThe library you picked Carol sound exciting with all its new upgrades! I also liked your background colors for the blog, great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information on this library. Its curb appeal is so fresh and modern. The Digital Science Center sounds so exciting.
ReplyDeleteTo Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI just saw your question about funding and how big their budget must be. That would be a huge figure I'm sure. Factor in the costs of employees, building maintenance, property tax, computer equipment, subscriptions, databases.... millions? How does a university support itself - student fees, federal and state funding, grants? I do not know how to find out this kind of information but if it is public funds maybe the cost would be posted?
Wow that must be an amazing place to do research in. The visual software would be extremely beneficial for many aspects, and 7 floors for research! What is in each of the research labes? Are they set up for different aspects of study?
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