By LJ Staff

Despite much talk about the future of the academic library, plans for a new $30 million library at the University of Southern Indiana show that the USI officials believe the library should remain at the heart of the institution. USI has released a review of its building plan, which will place the new library at the center of the campus, just off the campus quad. The four-story library is currently designed to include stacks on three levels, a circulation area, reference desk, archives and special collections, large reading rooms, computer labs, and 30 study-group rooms. As in many new libraries across the nation, the new library will also offer students a coffee shop, and "a casual study space" for students to congregate. The new library will retain the name David L. Rice Library, so named in 1992 to recognize USI's first president. Construction is expected to be complete in 2005. The current library, built in 1971, was intended to handle a student body of 3,500, but enrollment at USI has soared to near 10,000.