University of Florida Library West
Encyclopedia
The Library West is the major library
of the University of Florida's
George A. Smathers Libraries
system
. Its collections consist of material on the humanities
and social sciences
, as well as African studies
and Asian studies
resources. The Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica
special collection on Jewish studies
is also part of the collection.
Library West primarily serves the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
and Warrington College of Business Administration. It is the largest of the seven Smathers Libraries at UF. The other major library is the Marston Science Library, which holds collections on agriculture
, engineering
, mathematics
, and the natural
and physical science
s.
The library is located at the north end of the Plaza of the Americas
, at the Campus Historic District
in the northeastern part of campus. The library is often colloquially referred to as "Club West" by many students.
Library West was first constructed in 1967. This library was closed for a $30 million renovation
in December 2003 that doubled its capacity, better equipped information technology
, and added a Starbucks
in the lobby. The library reopened in August of 2006 , and the renovations earned the library gold LEED certification
, making Library West the second UF building to obtain that status (the first was Rinker Hall, which houses the Rinker School of Building Construction
).
and study facilities located on the top floors for graduate students
. In addition, 17 study rooms for group study are also available. http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/west.html
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
of the University of Florida's
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
George A. Smathers Libraries
George A. Smathers Libraries
The University of Florida's George A. Smathers Libraries, is one of the largest university library systems in the United States. The system includes eight of the nine libraries of the University of Florida and provides primary support to all academic programs except those served by the Lawton...
system
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
. Its collections consist of material on the humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
and social sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
, as well as African studies
African studies
African studies is the study of Africa, especially the cultures and societies of Africa .The field includes the study of:Culture of Africa, History of Africa , Anthropology of Africa , Politics of Africa, Economy of Africa African studies is the study of Africa, especially the cultures and...
and Asian studies
Asian studies
Asian studies, a term used usually in the United States for Oriental studies and is concerned with the Asian peoples, their cultures, languages, history and politics...
resources. The Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica
Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica
The Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica within the University of Florida Libraries' , formally dedicated in March 1981, supports the teaching and research missions of the Center for Jewish Studies and the University of Florida. The core collections began with the Rabbi Leonard C...
special collection on Jewish studies
Jewish studies
Jewish studies is an academic discipline centered on the study of Jews and Judaism. Jewish studies is interdisciplinary and combines aspects of history , religious studies, archeology, sociology, languages , political science, area studies, women's studies, and ethnic studies...
is also part of the collection.
Library West primarily serves the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the University of Florida's college for the liberal arts and sciences. and the largest of the university's 16 colleges. Most core curriculum classes and 42 majors and minors are part of the college...
and Warrington College of Business Administration. It is the largest of the seven Smathers Libraries at UF. The other major library is the Marston Science Library, which holds collections on agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, and the natural
Natural science
The natural sciences are branches of science that seek to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world by using empirical and scientific methods...
and physical science
Physical science
Physical science is an encompassing term for the branches of natural science and science that study non-living systems, in contrast to the life sciences...
s.
The library is located at the north end of the Plaza of the Americas
Plaza of the Americas
The Plaza of the Americas is a major center of student activity on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. It is located in the quad between Library West, Peabody Hall, the University Auditorium, and the Chemistry Building....
, at the Campus Historic District
University of Florida Campus Historic District
The University of Florida Campus Historic District is a historic district on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. The district, bounded by West University Avenue, Southwest 13th Street, Stadium Road and North-South Drive, encompasses approximately and contains 11 listed...
in the northeastern part of campus. The library is often colloquially referred to as "Club West" by many students.
History
Renovation
Renovation is the process of improving a structure. Two prominent types of renovations are commercial and residential.-Process:The process of a renovation, however complex, can usually be broken down into several processes...
in December 2003 that doubled its capacity, better equipped information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
, and added a Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
in the lobby. The library reopened in August of 2006 , and the renovations earned the library gold LEED certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
, making Library West the second UF building to obtain that status (the first was Rinker Hall, which houses the Rinker School of Building Construction
Rinker School of Building Construction
The Building Construction program at the University of Florida prepares graduates for exciting careers in the construction industry. The core curriculum includes a mix of technical, managerial, and business courses. Graduates receive a comprehensive education including theory and practical...
).
Services
The library can seat up to 1,400 patrons. It is equipped with eight group study booths with computers and six booths equipped for viewing videos. There are numerous carrelsCarrel desk
A carrel desk is a small desk featuring high sides meant to visually isolate its user from any surroundings either partially or totally. They were a predecessor to the more recent cubicle desk.- Description :...
and study facilities located on the top floors for graduate students
Postgraduate education
Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...
. In addition, 17 study rooms for group study are also available. http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/west.html
See also
- University of FloridaUniversity of FloridaThe University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
- George A. Smathers LibrariesGeorge A. Smathers LibrariesThe University of Florida's George A. Smathers Libraries, is one of the largest university library systems in the United States. The system includes eight of the nine libraries of the University of Florida and provides primary support to all academic programs except those served by the Lawton...
- Buildings at the University of FloridaBuildings at the University of FloridaThe University of Florida is a flagship university in the State University System of Florida and has many notable buildings located in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando and throughout Florida. The Campus Historic District at the University of Florida comprises 32 contributing properties that are...