The latest BIG THINGS news for the Alkek Library is the launch of our new room reservation system. Beginning in February 2020 all group study rooms, collaboration rooms and the Comm Lab (practice presentation room) are reservable using the new campus EMS reservation system. To make an online reservation, go to reservation.library.txstate.edu. From this page you can either go directly to the EMS system or go to the library’s spaces page to see what rooms are available and how to reserve them. The new web application can be used to reserve rooms from a desktop or mobile device and offers a greater level of information security than the previous system. Later this spring, the library will be installing door sign tablets and kiosks on each floor so that reservations can also be made on-site with just the swipe of your campus ID card.
Group study rooms in the Alkek Library are located on floors 5, 6 and 7 along the perimeter of the building and are intended for groups of two or more for studying or collaborating on group projects. These rooms are equipped with dry-erase boards, tables and, chairs and offer a quiet spot for undisturbed group work. Four collaboration rooms are located on the 2nd (main) floor of the library and offer the additional functionality of having a large monitor with connectors for viewing information from your laptop as you collaborate on a project involving media or shared files. The CommLab is located on the third floor behind the Check Out Desk and is available for practicing your presentation with a group or group study and collaboration when not in use by the Communication Studies Department for Practice Presentation Sessions. The CommLab is equipped with a large monitor for displaying your presentation, a podium, media connections and has Zoom meeting capabilities. All of these rooms can be reserved for up to two, one-hour sessions per day, per patron. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance and groups must arrive within 15 minutes of their reservation period or the reservation may be forfeited to another group.
Smaller study spaces are also available on floors 5, 6 and 7 for individual or partner groups. These rooms are for use on a first-come, first-served basis. There are other spaces in the library that can be reserved for specific purposes and needs. Please visit our Space Types web page to find out more.
*Please note: Group study rooms are not intended for staff office hours or for supplemental instruction.
The Alkek Library will be undergoing six big changes in 2020 as we continue to seek to improve our services. NUMBER ONE - For the start of the spring semester we launched our new and improved website. NUMBER TWO - In February we activated our new room reservation system. What will be the next big thing?? Stay tuned.
Contributed by Debbie Pitts, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator for University Libraries.