"GREAT! Please buy an ashtray for outside!"
"I really really like it. Although I haven't seen the "old" main floor, but the new one is very comfortable and well structured. But, just to make a suggestions, you could really need an ashtray on the outside of the library."
"Sliding doors are very institutional in an unwelcoming way. "Foyer"(?) space seems a waste of space. Otherwise pretty nice."
"I love it. The sliding doors are superb. It looks fab. I love the new car smell. It's less dingy than before. More room. I feel though the rest of the library floors will be jealous of the 2nd."
"It looks great! I especially love the automatic doors and the new computer stations. I do have two suggestions though. First, the cafe (Browsers) could use more seating. Secondly, the foyer right before you reach the information desk is too empty. Perhaps a waterfall or artwork such as some statues would make it feel less barren. Otherwise, I think it's great!"
"When I stepped in through the automatic doors I felt a sense of modern technology. It love it and it looks beautiful."
"I think it looks good. My only negative comment is that there were no bathrooms placed on the main floor."
"It's nice but it's better if a washroom can be built on the 2nd floor."
"It's nice, but the big open space in the lobby seems a bit unnecessary perhaps even wasteful. I suppose it leaves room for growth. Why are there no bathrooms?"
"Great, washroom on main floor would have been nice!"
"Amazing, other building's should be renovated like this, to make them modern and sleek as well. A larger cafe/cafeteria area would have been nicer but still it is very good. Also, no bathrooms on the main floor is a drawback. Overall, the renovations have made the library a nicer place to study. "
"No washrooms on the main floor!"
"Main foyer large clock!"
"Needs a clock."
"The extra computers are great. I like how easy it is to hook up a laptop almost anywhere on the main floor (except for the cafe, which is sad), and how the tables face windows. The black, gray and red colour scheme isn't all that great though. When you're a stressed out student, the last thing you want to be confronted with is an angry colour scheme and a cold stone floor. The large windows and comfy chairs do kind of make up for that though. But yeah, pick more relaxing colours next time."
"Very nice--like the open concept design--feels less stuffy than the previous layout. Pleasant colour scheme as well."
"It seems a bit cold, clinical. I think brighter colours would have worked better, and I miss a carpet on the floor."
"I think it looks nice! But we need more places to sit! & maybe more colour to the place... but overall it is very nice :)"
"INTENSE! Red is unsettling. Where is your consistency? The top floors should match too."
"It looks modern. The choice of colour for the flooring makes the main floor feel cool and less inviting. But overall it is ok."
"Good choice of colours. Need way more group study tables & laptop stations! Too spacious, more couches would help...such as the 1 booth style table on the left."
"Looks great. Vast improvement. Could use some "warmth", perhaps wooden display cases and different colours on ceiling."
"So pretty... so comfortable, nice design, good match with the colour, the whole building should look like this."
"It looks a bit like some futuristic space shuttle and I can't say I'm thrilled with the colour scheme, but it is nice having so much more space. My only real frustration with the new design is that, as far as I can tell, there is only one printer! If there is another one, it might be profitable to put a sign up so people know where it is."
"It looks too much like a business lobby. It's lost its warm, library feeling, there are too many bleak and dull colours - bring back the browns!"
"Gorgeous - really brings up the aesthetic appeal of our library for visitors and prospective students. Good choice of colours. More computer stations could have been beneficial, however I find they fill up quickly."
"I really love the colour tone of the first floor. Great Job!"
"The layout seems better. But the look is cold. Too grey. I miss colours."
"I think it looks great! More open and great colours! What about the big space in the middle?"
"Very interesting and well planned. Lots of space. 100% better than what it was. The colours are dark, maybe that's the smallest point. Maybe needs some little ornaments to make it look nicer. But in general it's nice and functional."
"Bonus ~ the windows left unobstructed makes an amazing difference ~ & hopefully the slate (!) floor will work well w. slush & wet than rugs. concerns ~ the lack or colour/warm. The monochromatic look can be a 'safe' choice but it does tend to get used looking quickly without an addition of colour to keep it energized signage ~ good; more study spots good; freeing up the front foyer to house perhaps plants? or an ottoman! thank you other comments delivered at the circulation desk by on campus staff who regularly use the library ~ great windows again after all those years but definitely an 'airport' feel ~ perhaps again the grey/ on grey/ on neutral thank you."
"I really like the overall look of the floor. It is bright and spacious. I really don't like the feature wall though. It is not what I had envisioned. To me it looks like a piece of bristol board with words printed on it, taped to the inside of the glass window. I had thought the words would be part of the wall not just in a little glass window."
"I'm disappointed in the feature wall. Mandela's quote is wonderful, but it is no way "striking" in its space."
"The quote from Mandela looks terrible. Other colours are needed."
"Walking in, it's all ooh & ahhs. Very modern, I think is the best word for it. The ceilings seem higher too, so the area seems bigger, which is nice. I have two concerns: The new library seems colder now...the colour schemes or perhaps lack of carpet make the new library entrance seem less warm. So, the floral arrangements are appreciated and I would suggest the addition of green accents, to have more plants in the lobby. My other concern...when I first heard that the carpets would be replaced with tiles, I was very happy. The stand-up kiosks/terminal attracted huge salt circles/stains under people's feet in the wintertime. So with tiles, cleanup would be much easier & not sustain such a mess. Thus I was disappointed when I saw the carpet started right where the kiosks are. It is a shame such nice new carpets might get dirty so quickly this winter. During the opening ceremonies, I spoke with a volunteer and she explained it is predicted people will not stand/stay long at the kiosks, so it may not be a problem. But I still think it's enough time (some stay longer too) for snow to melt, along with salt. Overall, I am very pleased, it is beautiful. The circulation desk is lovely, a great overall change in space. Thanks also for a nice opening ceremonies/Library Day celebration."
"The floors look REALLY dirty."
"It's very nice, I like the group collaboration computers, that's a great idea. The glassy wall is also neat with all of the different languages. The main area...the massive grey floor...it's a bit...not nice. Someone should paint a few of the tiles a deep red or something, it loses a lot of atmosphere from that big grey stretch."
"I think it's great! Floor is a little slippery though..."
"Too slippery when snowy days come."
"More round booths would have been better. A lot of unused open space in the front foyer. Slippery floors in the winter. More single study tables & chairs by tables."
"It looks very nice but it should have ceramic around the whole floor."
"I loved the space. I'm glad the carpets are gone; it looks more modern. I am concerned about the glass wall to the side of the cafe. I didn't know there was a door there and someone could easily walk into it without thinking. Is there any way to identify it? Good work and lovely space!"
"The floor when coming in is very slippery when wet. The increased number of computers is great. Some more study tables would be wonderful."
"It's nice but it should have been complete by fall term. Also, will it be slippery on the floor in winter?"
"Has an airport look to it (I like airports). Desks are nice. Very clean. Thanks for taking out the carpet. Lighting is well throughout."
"It's awesome, although I miss the carpet."
"I like the computer area much much better than the one that we previously had (less computers (most often didn't get a chance to use any because of so much crowd there), had to stand while using them so it was very uncomfortable). I also like the cafe area, its very nice how they now have an extended sitting area facing outside the library. The only thing that I don't like is the floor; maybe it's the texture or something is wrong with it, it looks very old (as if it needs renovation) and I don't like the colour either."
"You need to turn on the heat--it is too cold down here. Also a common microwave for the use of students should be considered where we can heat up our lunch or coffee, etc."
"I think it looks great! Very modern. I have three suggestions for future improvements: 1) Art and culture exhibits/displays in the entrance because it looks a little bare. 2) Microwaves on the main floor so people can bring their lunches and eat while they study. It's hard to eat lunch in the SLC because it's so crowded. 3) A drink machine for students studying late after Browser's closes."
"I hope there's a microwave around so that we can heat up our meals. This is helpful for students who want to stay up late at DP."
"Cool, but the new design has not solved the noise problem. As I type this, there are three separate, full volume conversations going on within 5 meters of me."
"Love the natural lighting!!! Love studying here day or night. Gets noisy sometimes...Needs more computer stations maybe?"
"It looks nice, the furniture is comfortable. The look is fresh. However there is a little problem. It's now like DC and everyone comes here. So, it's hard to avoid these talkative people. But it's good anyway."
"Thank you soooo much for such a gift. My only concern is that students should treat this place more as a library, not as a park, as it is so noisy. But it's way better than the Davis Centre Library. With all due respect the latter is a zoo, people laughing, joking, calling each other, noises, music. It lost the meaning of becoming a place to have some good time reading & studying."
"It is very nice, like the design, but could have more plants (hanging, crawling plants)."
"Beautiful but needs some more plants."
"Needs more colour. Potted plants. Artwork."
"Very nice use of all the windows. The only thing the library needs now is PLANTS (non-artificial). Green and brown go nicely together."
Renovating the Remaining Floors:
"Love it. Much more convenient with the extra computers. Much brighter & fresher! Could you renovate the whole library?"
"FANTASTIC. Please continue all the way up!"
"Looks nice. When will the other floors be done :)."
"It looks great. Thank you. However, most of our studies occur in the upper floors. We need new chairs and new desks. Don't forget the upper floors."
"It is awesome! Totally impressed. It is so much more modern! Hope upper floors change too."
"It's amazing, so much more room for students. Please renovate the remaining floors."
"I think it's beautiful and very exciting. I've always loved DP but now I love it even more. Very functional. This type of renovations should be done to all floors."
"I really like it. I think it has nice lines, and adds a modern touch to the library. I'm hoping they do the rest of the floors like it!"
"I like it! the whole building should be renovated!"
"I think it looks nice, but I keep wondering what's going to happen all the other floors."
"Inviting, open, bright--when is the new look & signage coming to the other 9 levels?"
"You should do the same for the rest of the 9 floors."
"Amazing! When will the rest of the library look this way? I think putting money into one floor and not following through with the other floors makes the library look REALLY outdated!!!"
"Sexy! Let's re-design the upper floors, now they look drab!"
"Great! Now PLEASE reno the rest of the floors!!! Or at least get new furniture."
"I think it's great! Too bad the rest of the building didn't get a facelift."
"It is great! Now do the other floors!"
"It looks very nice. I hope you keep renovating all floors. It encourages students to study in a better environment."
"Its great, its like we've gone into the future. I would like to see this for all the floors in DP, it really makes it a better studying environment. "
"Awesome! Renovate the rest of the library like this! More round corner couches."
"Renovate the rest."
"It looks awesome! When is the rest of the library going to be done?"
"I love the new layout! The library looks like it reflects the quality of education available here at UW. However, the main floor, especially by the windows, is rather cold. I find myself sitting in a hat and mittens just to study."
"It looks like a spaceship :). Pretty modern, very cold (temperature). It's something different overall."
"I think it is great - I love the new computer work stations and the the comfortable chairs by the windows. It looks sleek and modern and yet comfortable. My only complaint is that since the weather has turned cold it is always cold on the main floor to the point that I have to wear my winter coat indoors."
"It is very aesthetically pleasing, although I think because of the flooring and the open concept it creates a cold feeling. I feel that I have to go to the upper levels just so that I will feel warm since I'll be surrounded by more walls than windows."
"Cold near the windows, brrrr!"
"Not necessary, do not see any advantages. The automated door in winter will make the info desk extremely cold. Too empty, space not cozy."
"I like it a lot! It's very modern, simple to navigate & I really like the open-concept feel. I like how the computers are sit-down & that there are many more of them. Nice use of colours too. Great job! Definitely what DP needed.
P. S. It's too cold in here! Turn up the heat! Thanks."
"It is fully renovated and I like it a lot. People can feel very confortable here. The University should have more areas like this one. I would also recommend to increase a little bit the heat in the first floor. Thank you."
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Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4883
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