The Oviatt Library will celebrate the Grand Opening of  the Learning Commons Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Beginning last semester construction workers began to renovate the library. The entire entry of the library has been transformed and students are now welcomed to a redesigned floor, new study spaces, modern and ergonomic furniture and laptop checkouts.

“It’s a relaxing place,” said Eric Ramirez, a junior cinema and television arts major. “I focus more and I’m more productive. I’m in here three to four hours when I’m on campus.”

The Learning Commons also includes a permanent Freudian Sip and a relocated learning resource center.

“It’s a nice place to meet with people,” said Kisha Edmonds, a junior sociology major. “It’s like Starbucks.”

Last semester the Freudian Sip located in the library consisted of a cart with a limited menu. Now, it’s a coffee house and offers a full menu and seating space.

In addition to the Learning Commons, the Oviatt renovation also includes the Learning Resource Center (LRC). This center opened in the beginning of this semester.

The LRC was moved to the library from Bayramian Hall. It offers tutoring and supplemental instruction for math and science, help with writing, and preparation with the upper division writing proficiency exam.

The library will continue improving until 2016. The special collections will be expanded, a minor renovation to technical services on the 4th floor, and group study rooms and collaborative learning spaces will be constructed on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors.

“The Learning Commons is a combination of different facets including space, technology, partnerships among people and entities on campus,”  said Mark Stover, dean of the Oviatt Library, in a previous story in the Daily Sundial regarding the Learning Commons.

Feel free to contact the library for more information regarding the Grand Opening this Thursday afternoon.