Return to glory
By Daily Bruin Staff
April 11, 1996 9:00 p.m.
Friday, April 12, 1996
By Toni Dimayuga
Daily Bruin Contributor
The end is in sight. After years of construction marked by a
substantial delay following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Powell
Library’s West Reading Room is now open to the public  and
officials expect Powell to be fully open by fall 1996.
Some students, many of whom have never been inside of Powell,
said they are eagerly anticipating the library’s reopening.
"I haven’t been in there yet, but I heard it’s really pretty, so
I totally want to go," said Teresa Lee, a third-year biology
student.
"It should be really cool because it’s going to be a lot better
than Towell, that’s for sure."
Library staff, including its senior members, are equally excited
about Powell’s face lift.
"Some people have worked at Powell for over 25 years and know
what it used to look like. Now they’ll get to see it nicer than it
ever was before," said Eleanor Mitchell, head librarian of the
College Library.
But while students are curious about the interior of the
library, most said that not being able to study in Powell has not
diminished their college experience.
Tina Chakravarti, a fourth-year economics student, said that she
saw the inside of Powell during her freshman orientation, before
construction began.
She explained that she didn’t miss out on anything since what
she heard about the "library experience" was just heresay.
"I know a lot of people who liked studying there  people
before me, who used to go there all the time. And they would tell
me, ‘Oh, you missed out, you weren’t able to study in Powell.’ But
I didn’t realize that because it was because other people told me,"
Chakravarti said.
The reading room has already managed to attract a crowd despite
the fact that it has been open for such a short time.
Many got a sneak peek at the west reading room last quarter.
Night Powell, a program that provided extra studying space during
10th and finals weeks, drew more than 200 people per night,
Mitchell said
The volume of people who visited the reading room during 10th
and finals week forced some students to study elsewhere.
"It was crowded and I didn’t get to sit down. I went somewhere
else, but I don’t think it diminished anything," said fifth-year
math student Frank Divinagracia. "I went to go study at the
(Anderson School)."
The permanent opening was not due solely to Night Powell’s
success; the west reading room was opened as a test run to decide
the hours for September, Mitchell explained.
After visiting the reading room for what was, to some, the first
time in years, students had mixed reactions to its appearance.
"It’s really bland inside … The reading room needs more decor,
I guess," said Jorell Domingo, a second-year physiological science
student.
"But it’s a nice place to study, with all the little computer
jacks and modem jacks," Domingo said, adding that although he can’t
wait for Powell to reopen, the crowded conditions of the reading
room are a deterrent.
The renovation of Powell Library began in May 1993 and was
scheduled to finish last May , said Curt Ginther, architect and
principal project manager for Powell Library’s renovation.
Additional earthquake damage pushed the opening date back to fall
of 1996.
The total renovation cost of $34,415,000 was state-funded. FEMA,
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, paid most of the
additional funds to cover damage from the Northridge quake, Ginther
said.
Regardless of whether or not they have ever been inside Powell,
most students said that they prefer Powell to Towell, the temporary
college library.
"Towell is the ugliest building I’ve ever seen in my life,"
Domingo said, laughing.
Divinagracia agreed with Domingo’s response.
"It’s like (someone said), ‘Make it the ugliest building you
can.’ Okay, here’s Towell," Divinagracia said.
Library staff plan to offer public tours of the library,
especially to graduating seniors, Mitchell said.
Tours will begin next month and continue through June.
FRED HE/Daily Bruin
Students leave the reading room after a hard day of studying,
while third-year psychology student Tori Booker (above, left) toils
on.FRED HE/Daily Bruin
Since its opening during 10th week last quarter, the Powell
Library reading room has become a popular place for Bruins to hit
the books.
