Many people are unaware that “Poe Library” or the Media and Education Technology Resource Center exists, or that it was recently renovated. This space is a hidden gem. The library, located on the fourth floor of Poe Hall, offers a relaxing setting for students to study, filled with new furniture and surrounded by calming blue walls.
The grand opening on Nov. 13 was a part of American Education Week. All day, there were events to bring students into the newly renovated space such as a scavenger hunt, coffee and conversation, and a reception.
Carlia Harrell, a second-year studying elementary education, works at the Media and Education Technology Resource Center and enjoys the new renovations to the space.
“Since it is kind of a closed space to education majors, it’s a really quiet study space because our college is on the smaller side,” Harrell said. “So if you are looking for a place that’s not as crowded and you need to be able to focus it’s the perfect place.”
Rose Hand, a second-year studying English education, also works behind the desk at Poe Library. As a student in the education program and an employee, she finds value in the new updates, especially when reflecting on the space pre-renovation.
“I think part of [the reason for the renovation] was because it was pretty outdated and we have a big emphasis on technology that can help educators and integrating technology into the classroom,” Hand said. “That’s a huge part of the library and we wanted to modernize that to fit our goal.”
Hand said that the space used to look old and felt much smaller, but now the space feels open and inviting.
Jessica Vandenberg, a Ph.D. student studying educational psychology, also works at the Media and Education Technology Resource Center. Vandenberg said that they have received a lot of positive feedback from students about the renovation.
“We’ve gotten a lot of feedback that it’s very warm feeling and collaborative,” Vandenberg said. “Students seem to really like the seating arrangements whereas they didn’t have a lot of those options last year.”
The biggest change to Poe Library is the use of space and new furniture, making it a better resource for students. There are individual study pods along with tables and couches.
“It’s more spacious and there are a lot more areas for individual studying and also with a group,” Harrell said. “It’s more comfortable and there’s more furniture. I also like the brightness of the room because it sets you in the mood for studying.”
The Media and Education Technology Resource Center, often abbreviated as METRC, is open to anyone, but the materials are specifically for students in the College of Education or studying psychology. Students can rent cameras, projectors and other materials. In addition, students can use the poster printer and 3-D printer.
“We had our grand opening last week and the new stuff includes a really expensive, fancy scanner, a Smart Board and a big poster printer,” Hand said. “We also have a Makerspace with a 3-D printer and a lot of technological amenities.”
The Makerspace is an asset for students and faculty, and the staff at Poe Library are working to make it a more accessible resource.
“We have a lot of new things in store as far as our makerspace being quite literally open to students,” Vandenberg said. “We have desires to hold workshops to train students on how to use things like the 3-D printer. In the past, it had been that students had to just send the file. Now, the desire is to get students to learn how to design so it can be a fully open space where students and faculty can use the materials freely.”
Another helpful resource that Poe Library offers students is the ability to send books from D.H. Hill Library to Poe Hall to be picked up, helping busy students who find Poe more convenient.
The renovations to the Media and Education Technology Resource Center have created a free-flowing space with updated technology that benefits students and faculty. For students of any major, this can serve as a quiet study space and even somewhere to print on campus. For education and psychology majors, there are endless resources to gain access to technology and relevant course material. Students and faculty can stop by Poe Hall to check out the new renovations and more information about the center can be found online at the METRC website.
The Media and Education Technology Resource Center, commonly referred to as "Poe Library," on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The center recently underwent renovations and was reopened on Monday, Nov. 13. Renovations included new furniture, a scanner, a smart board and a 3D printer.
