Zondervan Library Facilities
Description and History
Zondervan Library
The Zondervan Library was completed and occupied in 1986. The Library building was named for Peter J. "Pat" Zondervan and his wife, Mary, who contributed over $1 million dollars to the project. Pat Zondervan was co-founder of The Zondervan Corporation, a Christian publishing company, and has also served as an officer of The Gideons International, as well as on the boards of numerous other organizations.
Engstrom Galleria
The Engstrom Galleria, named in honor of Ted W. and Dorothy (Weaver) Engstrom, forms the main entrance to the Library.
Ted Engstrom served as the Editorial Director and General Manager of Zondervan Publishing, as well as President of World Vision. Dr. Engstrom also served as a member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Taylor.
The Engstroms were both graduates of Taylor (1938).
Rice Bell Tower
Rising to the sky just outside of the Library's main entrance is the Rice Bell Tower, presented to Taylor by Garnet I. Rice.
One of the most distinctive architectural elements to the campus, the Rice Bell Tower is 71 feet, 10 inches in height. It was dedicated in memory of Garnet's husband, Raymond E. Rice.
The twin spires of the tower symbolize the integration of faith and learning.
Facts and Figures
| Study Carrels: | 140 |
| Square Footage: | 61,000 |
| Structure: | Structural steel and masonry |
| Cost: | $91.27 per sq. ft. |
Technology
From the outset, the Zondervan Library was designed for the information age. It was the first private college library in the state of Indiana to operate an interactive online catalog and circulation system. The building is fully networked, with approximately 20 public workstations for access to the online catalog, the Internet, and a substantial and rapidly-growing array of e-journals, e-books, and other electronic resources.
In January 2004, Zondervan implemented a thin client PC network, the first of its kind at Taylor University, using HP Compaq Thin Client t5700 (256/256) machines with Windows XP Embedded, paired with HP Flat Panel Monitor L1730 17" displays.
Zondervan also houses a large computer lab, known as "ZonLab," containing 40 Windows-based PCs. ZonLab is used for classroom instruction, but is also used as a general purpose lab for students to browse the World Wide Web, use Microsoft Office applications, check their email, etc.
The Library contains an 802.11b wireless network to enable those who use laptops with wireless capabilities to access Library and Internet resources anywhere in the Library and Galleria. Wireless-enabled laptops are available for checkout, to be used within the Library.
The Library also has four AlphaSmart 3000 portable computers, suitable for general purpose word processing, available for use within the Library.
Architects
The Troyer Group, Mishawaka, Indiana
Library Consultant
David Kaser, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
General Contractor
Furman Steury Contractor, Inc., Fort Wayne, Indiana
