Chrissy Lackner, left, and Daniel Antwi-Amoabeng are all smiles in the Library's new work space for grad students.

Grad students have a lot of work to do and not enough quiet space in which to do it. But new graduate students’ study space in the James A. Gibson Library has helped make their lives a little easier.

The newly renovated area on the west side of the Library’s sixth floor offers a meeting room and quiet work areas for graduate students. At the recent grand opening to celebrate the new space, PhD candidate Chrissy Lackner said it is welcome and has long been in demand.

“Graduate students need an area that’s primarily quiet and conducive to working for long periods of time,” said Lackner, senate representative for the Graduate Students Association (GSA). “They need an environment that’s appealing because they’re going to spend a lot of time there.”

So far, that’s been the case with the new space, which was created in consultation with graduate students. In the short time it’s been open, students have flocked there and worked long into the night, said GSA president Daniel Antwi-Amoabeng.

“I’ve been here a few times, and every time I’ve been here, it’s always been full,” he said.

The new space features:

• 22 large study carrels
• two computer workstations
• 38 bookable lockers nearby for storage
• two lounge chairs
• bookable meeting/presentation/group space for up to 10 students

“With the growth in graduate programs at Brock University, the Library has been examining the needs of graduate students for some time,” said University librarian Margaret Grove. “We are thrilled to open these new spaces, which are designed to foster both individual study and collaboration.”

Related story:
• Renovations underway on Library’s graduate study space