Story by Paige Ernste
Photo by Larissa Wurm
Cowles Library has begun its first step in the planning process for the next round of library renovations: finding new chairs.
The wear and tear on the library has taken a toll, and many of the chairs are less comfortable now than they were at purchase years ago.
“The way students use the library hasn’t necessarily changed much,” said Program, Planning and Projects Specialist Marc Davis.
“Many still spend long hours studying or writing papers or doing research,” Davis said. “Having a comfortable and congenial environment is always a concern.”
To address this concern, Davis did some research on new furniture possibilities and came across the buoy chair.
According to turnstone.com, “Buoy is a seat that’s as active as you are.”
The buoy chair allows students to move while seated.
It is also light enough to lift and is height adjustable.
In addition to the high level of comfort and free movement, the chairs promote good posture and core strength.
The buoy chairs come in an arry of colors and fabrics.
As for Cowles, Davis said, “Drake blue and white immediately leaps to mind. However, I don’t get to do color selections. If we do go with some of the buoy chairs, the color selection will be part of the design, process and the colors will be chosen to complement the other colors of the new spaces.”
One buoy chair is available for students to try out in Cowles.
First-year Jack Pointon said he liked the chair.
“They were kind of awkward and they would take some getting used to,” he said. “But I like the idea of something new, and it seemed like it was good for your balance and core.”
“I felt like I was on a spaceship,” said first-year Maddy Peter. “I was nervous. That spaceship was going down.”
“It was fun, but I probably wouldn’t be able to study on it,” Peter said.
First-year Sydney Watson agreed that it didn’t feel stable.
“I didn’t like how there was no back support. I’d rather just sit in a normal chair,” Watson said.
The chairs would be one element of a range of seating options in the library.
“We’d like to see a lot of diversity,” Davis said. Other options might include “comfy” seating, mobile seating and more of the Node brand chairs that are popular within the classrooms.
Students can stop by the library to try out the buoy chair. Feedbaci surveys are also available to gauge the popularity of the chair among students.
