Middleton Library is undergoing construction to renovate certain staff spaces and introduce a remodeled math lab, said Director of Library Communications and Publications Sigrid Kelsey.
Renovations to Middleton Library, which began during the summer, will continue with the removal of books from the third floor in preparation for the math lab’s installation, according to an announcement on the LSU Libraries website.
The lab, which is being moved from Pleasant Hall as part of its remodeling, is expected to be completed some time in the spring, Kelsey said. The Daily Reveille previously reported LSU officials plan to have the relocation completed by Jan. 1, 2016.
The math lab serves as a hub for students to do math-related homework. Some classes, such as algebra and trigonometry, require students to spend a certain amount of time in the lab throughout the semester.
The books, primarily history and education related books, will be sorted into other shelves around the library, Kelsey said. Some of the books may not be shelved, but students can go to the circulation desk to obtain them.
“They’ll definitely be available,” Kelsey said. “They will just be reorganized throughout the library. It shouldn’t cause too much disruption.”
Kelsey said the library system looks forward to potentially implementing a new student fee to provide money for student-oriented projects, such as the creation of academic spaces.
While there are no definite plans for additional renovations currently, the LSU Libraries administration has discussed other possible improvements, including private study areas on the first floor, Kelsey said.
Recently, LSU Libraries announced several other improvements to both its physical buildings and its systems. In February, the Center for Academic Success announced the Shell Tutorial Center would expand to hold 40 more students, according to a previous report by The Daily Reveille. The LSU Libraries’ e-textbook system has also grown since Student Government’s $10,000 donation aimed at expanding the initiative.
LSU Libraries recently introduced a new service for laptop rentals, allowing students on the waiting list to receive a text message when one becomes available, Kelsey said. Last semester, the library added 20 Lenovo laptops to the collection of 70 MacBooks.
A Tiger Card is required to check out a laptop, and the laptop must be returned in 72 hours. Information Technology Services owns the devices, which are purchased with funds generated by the Student Tech Fee, and are available for students to rent for free through the ITS Gear2Geaux program.
“It’s a popular service we have,” Kelsey said. “A lot of times they are all checked out, but now you can get a text when one is waiting for you.”

Gallery • 4 Photos

Ari Ross

Shelves sit empty as books are moved Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, on the third floor of Middleton Library.