Upgraded computers are headed Library West’s way.
All 215 public desktops in the library will be replaced with newer models by the end of the Fall semester, said Jana Ronan, chairperson for Library West.
"Finally, it’s happening," she said. "I’ve seen the computers get older and older."
The funding will come from the UF Library Deans and the Academic Technology Department, but it is not set yet, Ronan said.
She said 100 brand-new Dell desktops will replace most of the current computers. The remaining computers will come from Academic Technology. The latter will be comprised of used computers, but they will be more up to date than the library’s current computers.
"It’s a very attractive agreement for us," she said.
Twelve new Dell OptiPlex 9020 models, desktop computers made in 2013, were added to the library’s second floor last week, but they haven’t been installed. As of now, every other public computer in the library is about 10 years old.
The 12 new computers beat the old models. They’re twice as fast at processing information and will have twice the amount of storage. Ronan said all of the new computers will offer major improvements in most categories.
"All of the computers will be faster to logon, have more RAM (internal memory) so programs will run quicker, and they will have all the same software as the AT (Academic Technology) computer labs and the Marston Science Library computers," she wrote in an email.
UF economics junior Jewelian Melvin said he knows many students who practically schedule their lives around the library’s public computers, especially during midterms and finals. He said the university is doing the right thing by allocating funds toward upgrading the outdated computers.
"It’s kind of about time they get up with the newer technology," the 20-year-old said.
As 18-year-old Amanda Lake looked at the row of 12 new computers in Library West, the UF pre-pharmacy freshman said spending money on upgrading the library’s computers isn’t what the university needs.
"I don’t know if they’re necessarily providing upgrades in the right area," she said.
UF international relations junior Janet Jones said she uses the computers at Library West almost every day, whether it be to watch class lectures or do last-minute French homework.
Currently, it takes about five minutes for her to log into the library’s desktops, the 20-year-old said. She said she’s glad the university realized how outdated the computers are.
"I thought they never would," she said.
Contact Martin Vassolo at mvassolo@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @martindvassolo
