Revitalizing an intellectual hot spot

A conceptual drawing of the UBC library's new single service desk.

Library renovation complete at UBC's Okanagan campus

The $1.4-million renovation to UBC's Okanagan campus library is complete and staff is eager to show off the revitalized space to both the campus community and Okanagan residents.

With more seating, additional group study rooms and added quiet reading space, the library is a nexus of rich content, state-of-the-art technology and inspiring space.

"The Library is the launch pad -- the starting place for students to explore and research,"
says Melody Burton, chief librarian. "It is the place where people begin their research, their exploration, and quench their thirst for knowledge.  It is where they fall in love with research, and understand the value and link between research and knowledge."

The UBC library at the Okanagan campus is part of a larger network of 21 branches and divisions, including on- and off-campus locations. Users of UBC's library have access to:

• More than 6.3-million volumes
• More than 875,000 e-books
• More than 165,000 serial titles
• Nearly 5.7-million digital collections (pages, images)
• More than 5.3-million microforms
• More than 883,000 maps, audio, video and graphic materials.

"The Library changes throughout the year, like the academic calendar, with peaks and lows," says Burton. "It’s an intellectual hotspot. The library is an active study space, representative of differing energies depending on the academic season."

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