Early this month, the University Library announced several new and improved services for the DePaul community beginning this quarter. PlayStation 5s, a victrola, Beyoncé and Chappell Roan aren’t things you might expect to see in a library, but you can find them now in libraries both on the Lincoln Park and Loop campuses.
John Leeker, associate university librarian for collections and discovery services, said that Information Services and the University Library partnered to refresh the onsite technology in both the Lincoln Park and Loop libraries.
“We now offer dozens of new, faster computers with improved monitors, including dual monitor setups,” Leeker said. “Additionally, IS has installed new, more reliable color and black-and-white printers.… The Library now also provides more support for color poster printing.”
In addition to new technology, students can also find an expanded collection of loanable media such as the music releases from Chappell Roan and Beyoncé, multiple PlayStation 5s (PS5) and a “circulating collection of historical video games,” according to Leeker.
“We have expanded our video game console collection to include PS5s, which can now be checked out at both campus libraries,” Leeker said.
According to Leeker, the video game collection has also expanded to include more games.
“Thanks to a generous donation of video games from CDM, we have also created a circulating collection of historical video games at the Loop Library, featuring over 20 years of video game history,” Leeker said.
Additional improvements include upgraded vending machines in the horseshoe corridor between the library and the Schmitt Academic Center, aka the SAC. Among the three new machines are a Zenblen smoothie machine and a Kool-Aid machine with Lunchable options.
Simone Sierra, a DePaul senior, said she was “really excited” to see the new vending machines. “I think the Lunchable machine is really good, especially with the Capri-Suns and varieties it has,” Sierra said.
While impressed by one of the machines, Sierra said she was “disappointed” by the smoothie machine.
“Most of the options were gone when we went to try it, and none of the options were customizable. … If I wanted to take something out of a smoothie, I couldn’t, and there were only two options available,” Sierra said.
Student Government Association chair of campus affairs Cade Primack said he thinks the enhancements are “fantastic.”
“These will help give students a space to thrive, and also added technology to give students a little mental break,” Primack said. Part of Primack’s role in SGA includes advocating for changes and improvements to campus facilities, but it wasn’t clear whether the library improvements were an SGA initiative this year.
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