Summer 2009

The New Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Library
Felice Maciejewski, Director of Library and Interim Associate Vice President for Information Services

The best vantage point to have in the Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Library is at the information desk. That is where you see the eyes pop open and the jaws drop down as new visitors take in the main entrance of the library. You can also hear the “oh my gosh” and “how cool is that” from the atrium above. When I see and hear the first impressions, I know that all of our hard work has paid off.

The Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Library is a 60,000-square-foot building that is technologically enhanced, environmentally friendly and yet has the feeling of a family room. With 12 group study rooms, a quiet study/reflection area, a café and a grand reading room, library users will have a difficult time making up their minds where they will want to study.

Connectivity and enhanced technology were a priority throughout the planning phase of the Mulva Library and it is evident throughout the facility. A presentation room located on the first floor has a wide-format HD projector, Blue Ray HD DVD player, surround sound speakers and an interactive/annotation monitor. Classrooms in the library have either interactive smart boards or tablets, which enable the instructors and students to collaborate on documents together. Laptops and net books are available for checkout at the information desk, and PCs and Macs are located throughout the building. Several of the computers have dual monitors. The building is wireless but also has many outlets and jacks throughout the building to plug in laptops.

Faculty can receive assistance in the innovation studio to integrate technology into their classes. Students may reserve the presentation practice room, which enables them to film themselves as they practice a presentation, and then playback or save it to a DVD. Digital signage throughout the building will keep library users up-to-date on activities taking place in the building and on campus. The media collection originally housed in JMS, has been integrated into the Mulva Library and is available for use at the multimedia stations on the first floor. 

The special collections suite, located on the second floor, has high-density shelving, a reading room and a processing room for special collections. It also has a state-of-the-art fire suppression system.

The Mulva Library is also home to the Writing Center and the Center for Norbertine Studies. The Writing Center is located on the third floor and has several one-on-one stations for consultations. The Center for Norbertine Studies has probably one of the most stunning views from and of the library. Located in the “football” or ellipse, the Center for Norbertine Studies has a wonderful view of campus. A large conference table is located in the ellipse, providing a great place to peruse the collection of Norbertine materials and resources.

If you are looking for a warm place to curl up by the fireplace and read a bestseller, or a quiet place to just sit and think or watch for the albino squirrel, the third floor quiet study area is the place to be. Old St. Norbert College yearbooks and bestsellers are located in the quiet study area. We encourage you to move the ottomans, loveseats and oversize chairs close to the fireplace or near the window, and enjoy the view.

And don’t forget to stop by Ed’s Café on the first floor for a latté or snack. Ed’s has an outdoor patio, and several vending machines are available for coffee, soft drinks and snacks. During the academic year the café area will be open 24/5 as a quiet study space for St. Norbert students with a valid ID card.

We all agree, the Mulva Library is the place to be!