EIU Media Relations

EIU’s Booth Library CSI offers technology for checkout

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University’s Booth Library has announced the opening of its Center for Student Innovation. The CSI includes a new Technology Checkout Station, an Active Learning Classroom and Design Lab. The CSI is located on the first floor of Booth Library, on the east side of the atrium.

At the Technology Checkout Station students can check out laptop computers, MiFi hotspots, webcams, microphones/speakers and GoPro Fusion 360 cameras. Students with a valid Panther Card can check out the technology for a limited time period.

The Technology Checkout Station is open from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday in the CSI. For more information visit https://www.eiu.edu/booth/csi/tech.php. Funding for the technology checkout program was provided through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund.

“It became apparent at the start of the pandemic that many students didn’t have access to the technology they needed when all classes transitioned to remote learning,” said Zach Newell, dean of Library Services. “Thanks to GEER funding, we now can help alleviate that by offering various pieces of equipment available for checkout.”

Renovation of the first phase of the CSI project – the Active Learning Classroom, Design Lab and breakout rooms – was completed in November 2020 and was made possible thanks to a grant from the Charleston Area Charitable Foundation. The renovation included new flooring, electrical and Internet upgrades, updated lighting and paint.

The space is home to a variety of new technology, including a podcasting studio, gaming computers, 3D printers, Google jamboard, large computer monitors and a green screen, purchased with a grant from the Illinois State Library.

“Our goal is to provide our students and scholars with services and spaces to make their academic pursuits engaging, productive, and enjoyable,” Newell said. “Although the pandemic has delayed the implementation of activities in the CSI, we look forward to opening the space to students, faculty and the community so they can learn, experiment and innovate.”

For more information about the Center for Student Innovation, visit the website at https://www.eiu.edu/booth/csi/index.php.