Construction threatens Wells environment

Beginning May 1, the main parking lot at the Herman B Wells Library will be unavailable due to construction.

Dean of Libraries Brenda Johnson said this could mean the end of the library’s current standing as a vibrant center for student activity. 

The upcoming construction, which will take an estimated two years to complete, will be for the new School of Global and International Studies. This will eventually take up only a portion of the Wells Library parking lot, but it could be two years before any part of the parking lot is available for people at the library.

Johnson, who has been the dean of libraries for three years, said the library typically has about 7,000 users per day. Not only does the library contain study materials and computers, but it also offers students a place to gather in groups and work on schoolwork together.

Johnson said the looming construction threatens to do more than simply create a hassle for library-goers.

“We are concerned about safety for students and staff, especially in the evening walking from other places, for those who would typically park in the lot,” Johnson said.

She has plenty of questions and concerns but has yet to receive complete answers from the director of Parking Operations at IU-Bloomington, Doug Porter. The two will meet next week to discuss the details of the construction and the effects on the library.

One subject of uncertainty is the subsequent overflow of cars that would otherwise be parked in the Wells Library parking lot. Hundreds of employees and visitors drive to the library each night, and they currently have the option to park directly outside of it.
Along with these parking spots being moved increasingly farther away from the library, the issue of transportation arises.

“I would love to see bus services or shuttles increase, even more so late at night,” Johnson said.

This has not been guaranteed at this point, but she said it is a possibility and that she looks forward to hearing from the director of parking to see what he has in mind.

Another issue is with the Disability Services for Students program at the library.

Martha Jax, director of the program since 1999, said she is worried that recent progress in parking at the library could go to waste, in regards to well-placed reserved access spaces and smooth sidewalks from the parking lot to the building. She said the library used to struggle to accommodate the people in the DSS program. Recently, though, parking and entry for people with disabilities was corrected to a point where they felt comfortable.

She said for the most part, the DSS staff is really not comfortable with the threat of losing the reserved access spaces and accessible sidewalks.

“I think we’re all hoping it won’t be as bad as predicted,” Jax said. 

If the shuttles are going to be used to ferry library attendees, people with disabilities included, they will need to be accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs. They will also need to make drops-offs near library entries. Jax said traffic then becomes a problem, as it is already heavily congested at times in the areas surrounding the library.

Junior Casey Baker, student representative for IU Student Association and a member of the Bloomington Faculty Council library subcommittee, said she would urge the director of Parking Operations to keep handicap spots, first and foremost.

“With the addition of the disability services in the library, there should be spots available to those who need parking close to the building,” Baker said.