University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

With these brightly colored columns, the Lockwood Cybrary is no longer “the cave.” Photo: DOUGLAS LEVERE

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  A mural along the back wall of the Cybrary features a replica of an enzyme protein used in drug metabolism. Photo: DOUGLAS LEVERE

By DAVID J. HILL

Published: October 20, 2011

It wasn’t exactly “Extreme Makeover: UB Edition,” but the recent transformation of a popular spot in Lockwood Memorial Library is garnering rave reviews for its fresh, exciting new look.

The Cybrary in Lockwood was once a white-walled, multi-color-floored room with an institutional vibe, leading students to refer to it as “the cave.” That dullness has since given way to a creative use of color that builds on UB’s branding. The site has been further beautified by a unique use of computer-generated images based on research conducted by UB students and faculty.

“The before and after pictures are amazing. It’s just so dramatically different,” says Nancy Kielar, assistant vice president and director, CIO administrative operations, whose initiated the Cybrary renovations after taking a series of university campus tours with her children. Seeing other campuses opened Kielar’s eyes to opportunities available to make the UB campus a little more memorable. “I think everybody should go on a campus tour. It shows you a new perspective, from the eyes of a prospective student,” Kielar says.

After taking the tours, Kielar talked with Don Stein and Scott Harrigan, who oversee the day-to-day operations at the Cybrary, about what changes could be made to make the space more inviting for students while building upon UB’s brand in a visible, highly used space.

Last spring, Kielar approached Joseph A. Brennan, associate vice president for university communications, with her idea and tapped University Communications creative team members Alan Kegler and Becky Farnham to present some ideas to freshen up the Cybrary’s look. Their inspiration led to the creation of a mural along the Cybrary’s back wall. The image is a replica of an enzyme protein for drug metabolism. It is based on research carried out by Tom Furlani, interim CIO.

“That image has become quite popular,” says Furlani, who also directs the Center for Computational Research, adding that the image has been featured in numerous scientific brochures and on the National Science Foundation’s website. “We are happy to put it to such good use at UB.”

“The day the mural was put up, we left the site open and 12 students came over to take pictures of it with their cellphones to tell their friends, ‘Look what they’re doing with the Cybrary!’” Kielar recalls.

The 9,500-square-foot room also features new light-blue carpeting and color painted columns throughout. In addition, the back third of the Cybrary, which previously had been used for storage, was cleaned out and converted into a usable area featuring desks with power hookups for students to work on their laptop computers. Brightly colored chairs add an extra splash of vibrancy to the room.

The color schemes used reflect the approved secondary colors of the university.

Among its other features, the Lockwood Cybrary has 59 computer work stations, six “express” stations for quick access, 44 laptop seats with power connections, and wireless access. It’s also among the pilot sites for UB Green’s single-stream recycling bins.

Another popular feature is the flat-screen monitor that identifies exactly which computers are available, which are taken and which are turned off.

As public higher education becomes more competitive, it’s important to find additional ways for UB to stand out, notes Interim Provost Harvey G. Stenger Jr. “When prospective students, staff and faculty visit our campus, we need our physical spaces to project the quality of our academic programs,” Stenger says. “And when they leave their tour, we want them to remember us.”

“I think we listened to the students and made it a memorable space,” Kielar says. “It’s something we can be proud of and hopefully it will inspire other departments.”