Outside Furniture Provides Gathering Spaces, Expands Use of Plazas

Recently, five outdoor tables were added to Bracken Library’s north and south plazas for student and faculty enjoyment. Already this furniture is popular with those who want to catch some sunshine while studying outside, taking a break, or grabbing a bite to eat al fresco.

Ball State University's plazas on the north and south sides of the library offer full wireless connectivity so that students and faculty can access the Libraries’ resources through their laptops or other portable devices. The tables are manufactured using 68% recycled material.

Providing the tables is another step toward making the University Libraries the most inviting, friendly space on campus for research, learning, and friends.

Bookmark Café @ Bracken Library Continues to Grow as a Popular Student, Faculty Gathering Spot

Bookmark Café @ Bracken Library Continues to Grow as a Popular Student, Faculty Gathering Spot

Every day from opening ‘til closing, students, faculty, and staff stream in and out of the Bookmark Café @ Bracken Library. The café, conveniently located in Bracken Library’s southeast corner, provides about 900 square feet of comfortable, inviting space for people to gather, relax, and visit with each other. The reasonably priced menu includes Seattle’s Best Coffee® and many other beverages in addition to pastries, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Visitors can hear XM satellite radio or watch plasma monitors that feature national and international news.

The café contributes to the transformation of Ball State University Libraries as a dynamic social, learning, and gathering space on campus. It supports Ball State’s Strategic Plan for increasing the vitality of campus social and cultural life.

For more information, contact Arthur W. Hafner Ph.D., M.B.A., Ball State University’s Dean of University Libraries, AHafner@bsu.edu, (765) 285-5277.

This article first appeared in The Library Insider 5(4): 1; April 2007.