Students, staff and faculty at Dalton State College may soon see a somewhat different Derrell C. Roberts Library as new features could soon be added, said Melissa Whitesell, executive director of library services and sponsored programs.
In a library survey during the 2023 school year, Whitesell said a “limited library renovation” plan was in the developmental stage.
The plan involves partnering with a team from 2WR + Partners, an architecture and interior design firm out of Columbus.
The planned renovation of the library will look to include “more study rooms, comfortable seating, soundproofing and better signage to be included in the design,” the survey stated.
“The library is also exploring options for increased and weekend hours,” Whitesell said.
Currently, the library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays. The library is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Since opening in 1972, the library, named for Dalton State’s second president Derrell C. Roberts, has had several renovations. In 2002, an expansion doubled the size of the library’s facilities.
In 2019, a large mural painted by Chattanooga artist Kevin Bate was added to the outer facade of the library, depicting an unnamed female student surrounded by a collage of images symbolizing the pathways a student can complete at the college, including psychology, business and radiology.
The library and the adjacent Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia saw renovations completed in August 2021 after initial work on the project began in 2018. New digital signs were added to the first and second floors and a classroom used for meeting space was built along with added seating and improved shelving.
During the early weeks of November 2023, responses from 159 students, 11 staff members and 36 faculty members detailed a variety of requests for continued improvement of the library facilities, some of which may be implemented as part of the planned renovation, including:
• More study rooms.
• A cafe or break room.
• More comfortable seating.
• Better soundproofing.
• Whiteboards.
• A book club.
• Art exhibits.
• Cultural events.
• Extended weekend hours.
• More physical books.
• Better signage.
• Better manning of chat service.
• Interactive workshops.
“Whiteboards have been purchased and are also available in the classrooms and study rooms,” Whitesell said. “The library chat service is available during regular operating hours.”
Along with the survey, library statistics were shared from the 2022-23 timeframe.
During the previous school year, the library had 68,464 visitors during operating hours. There were 8,453 study room uses, 343 items loaned to other libraries and 133 library instruction sessions offered.
The library currently houses 496,935 ebooks and 108,280 media titles.
A library survey in the fall of 2022, which had 36 people participate, included similar requests for added study areas, workshops and events, which Whitesell said have seen an increase during the last few years.
“We strive to foster an inclusive, dynamic and creative environment within the library,” Whitesell said. “We often hear students say after visiting the library for the first time ‘This is my new place.'”
She said the library staff and faculty “build on that initial positive impression by supporting students.”
“Whether through research assistance or programming and workshops, such as the (Dalton State College) Career Fair, Grad School 101 and Undergraduate Research Symposium.”
Other programming and events include the “Murder Mystery at the Library,” where students, faculty and staff join in a simulation of the classic board game Clue, as well as the library’s annual “Literary Spooktacular” and “Boo Bash.”
The library has also had mariachi band performances, Latin American Leadership Institute events and summer camps, all of which lead to “increased engagement at Dalton State,” Whitesell said.
“The library supports (students in their) quest for knowledge and success,” Whitesell said. “Our shelves are lined with countless resources waiting to be explored, and our dedicated team of librarians is eager to assist.”