New Library Classroom

Thanks to the generosity of the family of Wilbert B. Dubin (F'47, G'50 and ‘53), librarians now can provide interactive instruction in library research techniques in the Wilbert B. Dubin Memorial Classroom, a completely renovated room on the first floor. An endowment fund has also been established by the family to provide for future equipment updates and maintenance.

The classroom has 24 networked Pentium II computers with flat-screen monitors, allowing students to practice techniques demonstrated by the instructor. The computers are linked by COMWEB, a "monitor, keyboard, mouse network," which allows the instructor to orchestrate the tempo of instruction. Most of the workstations line the walls of the room, with an additional six located in its center, these removable to permit different classroom configurations. The instructor can project the image on his/her monitor to all workstations, thus giving each students a front row seat. Likewise, when a student finds a promising website or has found useful results in a periodical index, the results can be shared with the whole class by projecting the student's monitor view to the other workstations.

The teacher's podium includes a computer, CD-ROM drive, COMWEB controls, digital chalkboard, a VCR, and audio controls. Both computer screens and the VCR can be displayed on the room's large front screen. The digital chalkboard allows the instructor to "draw" on any computer or video image for emphasis. In addition, a document camera allows the instructor to project an image of any object on the front screen, whether a chart or graph from a book, a slide, or a three-dimensional object.

The renovation included a new lighting grid, new acoustical finishes for sound control, and flexible lighting which makes it easy to see screen images while providing ample light to take notes or view other materials being discussed.