Library gets 30 new multicolored, cushy chairs

The interior of Ball State University's Bracken Library experienced a facelift this summer that is getting positive reviews from students and faculty.

A number of the familiar blue oak chairs, located in the library since its opening 30 years ago, have been replaced by new multicolored chairs.

Dean of University Libraries Arthur Hafner, said 50 of the 250 blue chairs in Bracken Library were found to be in a state of disrepair. University Libraries has developed a plan to replace these 50 chairs over the next two years.

In early June, 30 chairs on the first and second floors were replaced. Hafner said the university provided money for 20 of the chairs, and an additional 10 chairs were purchased with funds from the Friends of the Alexander M. Bracken Library, a group devoted to the constant improvement of the library.

"The chairs cost about $900 each," Hafner said. "That sounds like a lot of money; however, each chair has a 25-year warranty and the type of foam, fabric and other construction is commercial grade for heavy use over an expected long period."

Even though they have been in the library a few weeks, faculty and students are already getting used to the newer, more comfortable chairs.

"I love them," Kerri McClellan, who has worked at Bracken Library for 18 years, said. "They are really comfortable, really cushy."

Ball State senior Jennifer Sherron said the new chairs were much more comfortable than the old ones.

"They had wood on the armrest, so they weren't very comfortable," Sherron said. "I could see myself napping in these new ones."

McClellan added that although the old chairs were worn out and outdated, there were still a number of people who miss them.

"We've had a lot of people stop and ask if they could buy some of the old chairs," McClellan said.

Ball State's Office of Inventory Control and Moving currently has possession of the old chairs. The office is a division of the Purchasing Office, which regulates the purchase of goods and services by the university. Inventory Control and Moving is in charge of maintaining all records of movable equipment purchased or acquired by the university.

Jim Scott, services manager for for the division, said there was a standard procedure for equipment and furniture that is removed from campus.

"All of the furniture is put in a public auction unless it will be used again on campus," Scott said.

He said the old blue chairs from Bracken Library would be placed in a public auction in early August.