Ole Miss Library Makes Big Changes for Big Freshman Class

JD Williams Library Prepares for the Increase of Students with the 2015 Freshmen Class

JD Williams Library is the most popular place to study on campus

JD Williams Library is going to be making some changes here in the upcoming future that may surprise some of you. "Club JD," as it has been known to be called, is the most popular place to study here on the Ole Miss campus. "I love studying in the library," says sophomore Chris Jackson, "It helps me focus, and I get a lot of stuff done. You kind of have to get there early though to find a seat."

You may feel the exact same way Chris does. Seating in the library is extremely limited, especially during finals. Cody Spears, a junior transfer student feels a little differently, however. "I just never really study in the library. There are plenty of other places, and I just can never find a seat," he says, "When you spend the first 30 minutes trying to find a seat, it kind of takes you out of the study zone, you know?"

Stan Whitehorn, head of the Circulation Department, has answers for some of the students concerns. (You can watch his response fully in the video below.)

                                                   
"New chairs and tables is our short-term plan," Whithorn continued, "We have a long term plan in the works that would take about two years." When asked about what the long term plan was, Whitehorn refused to comment. He did promise that it would create more room for students.

Enrollment is increasing as time goes on

As you can see by the chart, enrollment at the university has been steadily increasing over the past few years. There's no reason to think this trend won't continue. With these growth trends, the library, like the rest of the campus, is adapting. Three new residence halls have been built within the last three years, and Dorothy H. Crosby Hall will be housing just freshmen this fall.

You might be able to relate to that, perhaps you're living at the Hub or the Retreat (Apartment Complexes) next year due to housing on campus being devoted freshman. Maybe you're finding a new place to study because all the study rooms and tables are taken up in the library. These are all situations being faced by current students here at the university.

"I love that Ole Miss is growing, I really do," sophomore KK Ross says. "I just don't know how much room we have. I mean, I don't study at the library anymore because there just isn't enough room."

The room on campus is definitely running out: in the residence halls, in the Student Union and Johnson Commons, and especially the JD Williams Library.