Senior Johm Sutton works in the new multimedia lab located in the basement of the library. The multimedia lab features three iMac stations and one PC station with professional editing programs. (Bryan Brenize -- The Beacon)
By Elizabeth Tertadian, Designer -- teradia13@up.edu
Looking for butcher paper to make a poster?
You won't find it in the graphics lab.
Over the summer, the graphics lab in the lower level of the library was upgraded to a multimedia lab, offering students and faculty a place to use multimedia software and create class projects.
"It's a huge step towards the 21st Century," Karen Eiffler said.
The lab offers three iMac stations and one PC station equipped with professional video editing programs iMovie and Final Cut Express. The lab has everything needed to create a movie or other multimedia project. Video, audio and picture cameras are available to check out for the day, as well as tripods and field mics.
To make room for the new equipment, print supplies such as butcher paper were removed from the lab. However, most print supplies such as colored paper, trifolds and lamination are still available in the lab.
The purpose of the lab is to be a place for students to create projects and learn how to use multimedia programs. The upgrade was funded by the remnants of a federal grant Jim Carroll, School of Education professor, received to improve and help teachers learn how to use technology better, according to Eiffler. In all, $25,000 was donated toward the upgrade.
"We had to spend it, or we'd lose it," she said.
The Department of Education partnered with the library to create a space where students and faculty can explore how to use digital media to tell stories.
Assisting students and faculty with the new lab is multimedia lab manager Jeff Kennel. He has experience in multimedia production and photography from around the world.
"Don't be shy about coming down to the lower level," Kennel said. "Come in and learn how to use things."
The multimedia lab is intended to be a self-service lab, so stations are open during library hours for students to come in and explore on their own, according to Kennel.
In addition to Kennel, student lab assistants will be available to help students with any questions they have. Books such as "Video Editing for Dummies" are also available for students and faculty to use.
"It's a one-stop shop for video production," Eiffler said.
