Last Wednesday morning, May 10th, the Space Committee of the MSU Libraries received permission from the MSU Office of Planning, Design, and Construction (PD&C) to work directly with major furniture vendors, such as Steelcase and KI, to select furnishings, spec them out, bid (if necessary), order, have shipped to MSU, installed, and deployed for use. Prior to this modification of practice by PD&C, the MSU Libraries had had to work through PD&C to select, spec out, and order furnishings, which was delaying the completion of our renovation projects.

Members of the Space Committee of the MSU Libraries are Jessica Bennett, Nathan Neuschwander, Tracy Stout, and Tom Peters (chair).

Progress quickly happened. Before noon on Wednesday the Steelcase and KI reps had contacted us, and the Space Committee met with both reps last Friday morning. The first order of business was to complete the purchase orders for the remaining furnishings for the RIS Commons on the First Level. That project was supposed to have been completed last August. Next the Space Committee began working with the reps to conceptualize new furnishings for the southwest and western portions of the Second Level, where the open access computing lab used to be located, as well as for the main lobby. Our current goal is to completely upgrade the furniture in the main lobby during the Winter Holidays Break (Dec. 15 to Jan. 16). The Space Committee of the MSU Libraries also will work on completing the furnishings of other rooms, such as 107, 120, and 210, as well as a longer range plan for how we can better utilize the public spaces in the building for user comfort and productivity. The Space Committee will seek ideas, input, and feedback from all employees of the MSU Libraries, as well as from other stakeholders, such as students and faculty and staff members from other cost centers.