Progress Made for Opening Libraries’ Cougar Commons in January

Alex Merrill, WSU Libraries’ associate dean for technology and operations, with a cart of reference volumes being moved Dec. 8 to make room for the new Cougar Commons. Photo by Nella Letizia.

Cougar Commons officially opens in the new year in the Terrell Library first floor overlooking the atrium, and construction is progressing for the new WSU Libraries’ academic support center for all students.

Demolition to make room for the space is tentatively slated to begin Dec. 15. This week, Access Services’ employees and volunteers will move almost 9,800 volumes from the physical reference collection to another location. Other renovations, including in Terrell’s Quiet Study Lounge, will be made over the holiday break. Furniture will be ordered soon.

The changes are possible after the libraries received $600,000 in minor capital funds in July to upgrade spaces in Terrell. Earlier, Trevor Bond, the libraries’ dean, said the funding supports the long-term plan to create Cougar Commons and upgrade group study rooms.

Erica England, WSU Libraries’ first-year experience librarian and Cougar Commons coordinator, and Brian McManus, WSU Libraries’ Access Services manager, load reference books to move on Dec. 8. Photo by Nella Letizia.

“I am delighted to see this space transition and to know that undergraduates will discover that the library is the place to go for their academic success,” he said.

“With demolition just around the corner, the excitement is building, and the redesign is starting to feel real,” said Erica England, WSU Libraries’ first-year experience librarian and the Cougar Commons coordinator. “Step by step, the space is taking shape into something fresh, functional, and full of possibilities. When students return from semester break, they’ll step into a transformed space designed to support their success in new and inspiring ways.”

Even ahead of the Cougar Commons opening, the libraries expanded student support by continuing their partnership with the Undergraduate Writing Center and launching a new collaboration with Academic Success and Career Center (ASCC) tutors, England said. The libraries and ASCC organized such events as the Oct. 13 Résumé Café. Cougar Commons also offers the following services:

Cougar Commons’ window design by WSU Libraries’ graphic designer Amy Grey in Terrell Library. Photo by Erica England.
  • Drop-in research help by WSU Libraries Ask Us from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays.
  • By-appointment ASCC tutoring from 5-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays.
  • Drop-in writing consultations by the Undergraduate Writing Center from 5-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays.

Cougar Commons and ASCC will sponsor two upcoming events for WSU students when they return from break:

  • A headshot session with the photographers of WSU Photo Services from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.
  • The second Résumé Café from 1-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9. This event helps students workshop their résumés with industry representatives before the spring WSU Career Expo.

For questions about booking a space for an event and for more information about the Cougar Commons, please email England.