Power to the mobile devices!

Ed.D. student Sharon Gardner (right) and guest scholars make full use of the new electrical and USB ports. Ed.D. student Sharon Gardner (right) and guest scholars make full use of the new electrical and USB ports.

When the University Library Building opened in 1983, no one imagined we would need electrical outlets and USB ports (which were not invented until 1994) all over the place. For several years we have noticed an increase in comments on our Customer Satisfaction Survey about the lack of electrical outlets, such as these:

  • “More plugs for laptops near desks on 2nd floor would be great!” (2013)
  • “There are hardly any available plugs. This makes it difficult to find study places.” (2014)
    • Library visitors frequently see extension cords snaking across the floors and people sitting in each other’s personal space huddled around outlets, reminiscent of airport travel. Fear the snakes and outlet sharing no more! The University Library has invested in over 100 surge protectors with both electrical outlets and USB ports. You will see some of these attached to tables and others in the study carrels. So, study away with the confidence that your laptops will have power, your notebooks won’t die, and your smart phones will remain charged.