1.1 Alternative 1: Continuing to manage operations and services under current conditions a. This option is untenable given the need to meet the University’s need for a modern, comprehensive library to enhance students’ research and learning outcomes. The current library space has lost assignable area within the Thurgood Marshall Library building to provide for the growing needs of other University Departments and leaving the library with disconnected and ineffective facility. i. Without additional space, the library can seat only 311 patrons or 6.15% of current FTDES and only 5.37% of projected 2031 FTDES. Additionally, without funds to renovate the building for library use, space will remain inefficient and ineffective to serve student’s needs. ii. Areas of the existing building are not accessible. All building restrooms, interior stairwells and elevators must be reconstructed to meet the ACCESS Maryland guidelines. iii. All existing HVAC equipment is being maintained well past ASHRAE life expectations and needs replacement to ease the burden on the University’s deferred maintenance backlog. iv. The building lacks a building-wide fire protection system, leaving occupants, as well as the library’s collection unprotected. v. In addition to the more quantitative issue with the existing library space that cannot be addressed under this alternative, neither can it address qualitative aspects of the space - including its poor and inefficient layout, the lack of natural daylighting and its dark and unwelcoming and tired appearance. These qualitative issues are a significant contribution to the library’s poor usage. 1.2 Alternative 2: Changing internal policies or practices so that the problem is solved or mitigated without undertaking a capital project a. The causes of the problems identified are all based on the spatial constraints and physical conditions of the existing building. Policies and practices will have no impact on these problems.
