The Cafritz Art Library, an asset to the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus, will be closing on December 14 of this year, after the fall semester comes to a close.

Based on recent past studies conducted by the Montgomery College Library, most people go to the Cafritz Art Library for either computer use or a place to study. Since those two activities do not require that the area be a library, the decision has been made to scrap and transform it into a more efficient place for students.

“The space could be a computer lab or a study nook,” said Tanner Wray. “And meet the needs of the majority of the users of what is currently the art library.”

Wray, who is the director of library and information services, went on to explain that not many students check out or use materials, or ask the librarian research questions, all of which are deemed library-specific functions.

In 2017, there were no reference questions asked that required the librarian’s expertise, and less than 4 percent of the items checked out of all MC Library locations were checked out of the Cafritz Art Library. It only makes sense to redesign.

“We do understand that this will be less convenient for those who are used to accessing the materials in the Cafritz building, and we certainly sympathize,” Wray said. “However, looking at the data, it becomes clear that this move will affect a relatively small number of users.”

After the closing, all materials in the Cafritz Art Library will be redirected to the main library located in the Resource Center, where the students impacted can access them. Assistance with research questions, including art-related topics, will be offered to students at the center as well.

The Visual, Performing, and Media Arts Department, led by Dean Frank Trezza, will make the official decision about how to rework the area after getting students’ input and finding out what they would like it to be.

How do you feel about the art library closing? We want to hear from you! For the chance to be featured in our follow-up story on this matter, please come to visit The Excalibur in the Student Life Office, located in the Charlene R. Nunley Student Services Center. You can also reach us by going to https://mcexcalibur.com/contact-the-editors/, and filling out the form if you cannot make it to the office in person.