COLUMBUS, Ohio
A student group has created an online petition protesting the closure of two Ohio State University campus libraries: the Black studies library and the women’s studies library.
Both of these collections were housed in the university’s main library, Thompson Library, until reconstruction of the library began this summer. When renovations are complete in 2008-2009, the historic collections of the Black studies and women’s studies libraries will be dissolved and recirculated throughout the library.
University officials say the renovations, designed to expand digital technology at the library, will improve accessibility and enhance the social aspect of learning.
But, some OSU students and faculty aren’t happy with the decision. Members of the Afrikan Student Union posted an online petition to protest the dissolution of the libraries. They say the libraries have a rich history, and students will be inconvenienced if the libraries are permanently closed. Before it’s closing, faculty had plans to boost the scope of the 35-year-old Black studies library, hoping to increase its status as a national facility for research in the field.
“A lot of us go there to do our own research,” says Robert Bennett, a doctoral student in Black studies.
The Black studies and women’s studies collections have been moved along with other humanities and social science resources to Sullivant Hall and Ackerman Library.
