The UDA leaps into the future by modernizing the library

A two-storey pavilion that works with solar energy, individual work spaces and group work, access for people with disabilities, among others, are part of the new library "Hernán Malo González", from the University of Azuay (UDA).
The building has two new wings of 728 square meters (m²) that is behind the old premises that is being remodeled and has (900 m²). The two areas will be connected by a bridge that has been termed as the "Bridge to the Future".
Francisco Salgado, rector of the UDA, explains that currently the library is considered as the "heart" of a university, hence this space has been designed for people and is open access.
"Before the books came to the students through the librarians. Now young people are the ones who come to the shelves and choose the books ... ", he explains.
The library has areas for individual work, as well as four areas for group work, which have a screen and Internet connection for students to connect through video conferences with groups of students from other universities. These spaces are soundproofed so that they do not affect other users.
The shelves are on the first floor, while the rest of the areas are on the top floor. The construction is surrounded by glass, which allows the illumination of natural light.
Salgado said that in the middle of the two blocks, the new and the old, a garden is built, with plants and flowers, and spaces for rest.
The rector emphasizes that the work was designed by the professors of architecture and the construction is in charge of the engineering teachers. In addition, students participated in bidding contests for the work.
Paola Merchán, coordinator of the library, mentions that between the two blocks there is capacity for 350 people.
Regarding innovations, there is a device that allows reading for those who have vision problems, as it translates the text into audio.
To say of Merchán, the site promotes the use of technology, for this reason they have three collections of digital books and access to databases to facilitate the search of users.
The library is open to the general public and is open Monday through Friday, from 08: 00 to 21: 00; and, on Saturdays, from 08: 00 to 13: 00.