Ribbon Cutting for Criss Library Renovations

OMAHA – Students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will now have access to some of the world’s newest technologies and some of the university’s oldest documents thanks to a series of recent renovations at UNO’s Criss Library.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Criss Library will mark the opening of a new Creative Production Lab, flexible theater space and a renovated Archives & Special Collections office.

An official ribbon cutting will take place outside of the new UNO Creative Production Lab at 4 p.m. followed by a reception in the newly renovated Archives & Special Collections space. Construction of these spaces began in August 2014 with a total cost of $625,000.

“We are excited to unveil our new spaces, which reflect the library’s commitment to providing opportunities for knowledge creation and engagement with the UNO and Omaha communities,” said Audrey DeFrank, acting dean of the Criss Library.

The UNO Creative Production Lab is a one-stop shop for students and community members to bring their imagination to life. The lab features everything from a 3D printer and 3D laser cutter to top-of-the-line video and audio editing software, as well as a poster-size scanner and printer; graphic design software; and equipment including HD camcorders and wireless microphones.

“The UNO Criss Library is at the forefront of the changing landscape of libraries,” Creative Production Lab Supervisor Jackie Skarda explained. “The Creative Production Lab not only provides a service for existing projects, it spurs the creativity among faculty and students to think of new ways to use technology.”

Also new to the library as part of this three-part renovation is an iClassroom, which features up to 40 MacBook Pros to be used by students during their classes as well as adjustable theater seating for making use of a 120-inch theater screen to show class projects, documentaries or live news events – just to name a few possible uses.

The Archives & Special Collections has also been updated to include more space and adjustable seating arrangements for individual or large group visits. Included in the department are thousands of pieces of UNO memorabilia dating back to the university’s earliest years as well as the U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel Archives, the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection, rare books, and other special collections.

“Archives and special collections, like libraries in general, are not static entities,” said Amy Schindler, director of Archives & Special Collections at UNO. “Our expanded and flexible space allows us to respond to the differing needs of UNO classes, individual researchers, groups of middle school students working on History Day projects or archivists arranging and describing the 1,700 cubic feet of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s U.S. Senate papers. We continue to be excited by the evolving and changing uses of the services, resources, and spaces available from Criss Library.”

In addition to use by students, faculty and staff, community members are encouraged to explore these new spaces. More information about these exciting new spaces can be found on the library’s website: www.library.unomaha.edu.

For questions or media inquiries, please contact Charley Reed, UNO media relations coordinator, at unonews@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2129.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Become a fan of UNO on Facebook: www.facebook.com/unomaha and follow UNO's Twitter updates at http://twitter.com/unomaha.