Picture this: the Doherty Library shush-ingly abuzz as the central academic and community hub of UST’s campus. That’s the bold future vision derived from student input and interpreted by Dean of Libraries and MAX Innovation Award honoree, Jim Piccininni, in a vision statement.

The ultimate dream is transformative, with the library expanding to offer collaborative spaces, an internet café, the possibility for inclusion of tutoring services, a faculty center for excellence and much more.

First Things First

While the full idea remains a wishful, mental image, initial changes will come into view very soon. Book stacks on the second floor and the basement will be re-located to an off-campus site, with the move scheduled to occur during the 2020 fall semester. High-use books—such as theology, philosophy and history books—will remain on the first floor.

Piccininni said, “With the subsequent recarpeting and new furniture for the cleared floors, we will create more study space where students also can access their remotely taught classes conveniently and comfortably. This renovation proactively addresses student needs and dovetails with our vision for the library to foster connection and better academic success.”

Wi-Fi Unleashed

Re-housing books also solves a nagging Wi-Fi problem.

“Our UST Information Technology experts have advised that book stacks play havoc with Wi-Fi,” Piccininni said. “After their re-location, our signal will be highly reliable.”

For titles housed offsite, students will search the online catalog, identify what they want and fill out an online request form. Library workers will retrieve the book and notify the student when their requested titles are available for pick up at Doherty.

Requesting Books Now

For the time being, Library Services are being offered online, including online research assistance, interlibrary loan and library instruction. Until September 14, our books-to-go service is available noon - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 - 6 p.m. Sunday. Starting on the 14^th, our books-to-go virtual reference assistance will be expanded to 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Sundays. To obtain details about library books-to-go, online reference assistance or to access interlibrary loan services, visit here.