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conference room ranking: results
The results are in - after 35 responses, Room 197 is declared the winner of the 2022 favorite library conference room!
Dr. Parks' former office near the Grant Wood murals received the most first place votes of any room (12), giving it a comfortable lead and taking the overall title by nearly 40 points.
Rooms 153 and 304 were next, with only six points separating second and third place.
Scroll down to see more details on your favorite room - read comments, explore pros/cons, and enjoy historical tidbits submitted by survey respondents.
Dr. Parks' former office near the Grant Wood murals received the most first place votes of any room (12), giving it a comfortable lead and taking the overall title by nearly 40 points.
Rooms 153 and 304 were next, with only six points separating second and third place.
Scroll down to see more details on your favorite room - read comments, explore pros/cons, and enjoy historical tidbits submitted by survey respondents.
#1. Room 197
Room 197 enjoyed high marks in every category. The closest to an even split was on the temperature, which one commenter described as "a guessing game."
History: "Designation of this room in the 1983 remodel was for a 'Scholar Study' and had 'His' and 'Hers' fancy desks, one for Robert and one for Ellen Parks."
Pros: Respondents commented the room has a sense of history, feels quaint, and has gotten the best "glow up." People liked the club feel, and one stated "it's hard to beat the style and details."
Cons mentioned the messy state after student study groups, with several suggesting this room should be restricted to staff use only. A few feel they are intruding on Dr. Parks and his "spirit," and some confusion was raised on how to unlock the door (any key with "G3" on it should work). Some groups overstay their reservation.
Overall, this room entered the contest as the likely favorite and performed very well. Now it will be even more difficult to book!
History: "Designation of this room in the 1983 remodel was for a 'Scholar Study' and had 'His' and 'Hers' fancy desks, one for Robert and one for Ellen Parks."
Pros: Respondents commented the room has a sense of history, feels quaint, and has gotten the best "glow up." People liked the club feel, and one stated "it's hard to beat the style and details."
Cons mentioned the messy state after student study groups, with several suggesting this room should be restricted to staff use only. A few feel they are intruding on Dr. Parks and his "spirit," and some confusion was raised on how to unlock the door (any key with "G3" on it should work). Some groups overstay their reservation.
Overall, this room entered the contest as the likely favorite and performed very well. Now it will be even more difficult to book!
#2. Room 153
A strong showing in first place votes helped Room 153 hold off 304 and take second place.
History: "Loading Dock #3, (or maybe #4?), the Loading Dock most previous to Justin and Tom. Last Dean when it was a Loading Dock was Dean Bear. The big window here was the dock door. There was a drive to Osborne to back trucks to it."
Pros focused on that large window, the good whiteboards, and working technology, with the OWL specifically singled out as a "Very Pro". One respondent appreciated the window view during meetings in haiku form:
"I saw a leaf fall
Then catch itself on a branch
Perfectly balanced"
Cons mentioned the room's temperature - hot and stuffy - and the messy condition after overnight study sessions. Sound transfer from a nearby conference room was a concern, and one respondent wrote, "So. Far. A. Way. Where is it? I can never remember where this room is located."
Overall, a solid performance from a heavily used conference room.
History: "Loading Dock #3, (or maybe #4?), the Loading Dock most previous to Justin and Tom. Last Dean when it was a Loading Dock was Dean Bear. The big window here was the dock door. There was a drive to Osborne to back trucks to it."
Pros focused on that large window, the good whiteboards, and working technology, with the OWL specifically singled out as a "Very Pro". One respondent appreciated the window view during meetings in haiku form:
"I saw a leaf fall
Then catch itself on a branch
Perfectly balanced"
Cons mentioned the room's temperature - hot and stuffy - and the messy condition after overnight study sessions. Sound transfer from a nearby conference room was a concern, and one respondent wrote, "So. Far. A. Way. Where is it? I can never remember where this room is located."
Overall, a solid performance from a heavily used conference room.
#3. Room 304
History: "The Grande Dame of all conference rooms. Largest and oldest which has never had another purpose other than for meetings."
Multiple comments said Room 304 has the best seating in the library. Greg Davis's basket of chocolates was specifically mentioned by one commenter (and surely appreciated by more of us!). 304 received the most second-place votes of any room.
Lack of windows was the major con for this room, as was the heat from the "cooking lamps." Technology issues can pop up, it has a "hospital from the 90's feel," and could use "a fake-flower refresh." Meetings are often too big for the space and people bump into each other; one respondent said the chairs hurt their back.
Overall, the most formal of conference rooms in the library performed well, good for third place and taking Bronze.
Multiple comments said Room 304 has the best seating in the library. Greg Davis's basket of chocolates was specifically mentioned by one commenter (and surely appreciated by more of us!). 304 received the most second-place votes of any room.
Lack of windows was the major con for this room, as was the heat from the "cooking lamps." Technology issues can pop up, it has a "hospital from the 90's feel," and could use "a fake-flower refresh." Meetings are often too big for the space and people bump into each other; one respondent said the chairs hurt their back.
Overall, the most formal of conference rooms in the library performed well, good for third place and taking Bronze.
#4. Room 405
Multiple respondents took issue with this room being included here, arguing it was a classroom, not a conference room. I stand by the decision.
405 was described as a "solid room," conveniently located, well sized, clean, and with good lighting. Got the most fifth place votes, and occupies a middle space after the top three rooms but before the next lower band of scores.
Major cons were the fishbowl-like setting with traffic passing the large windows ("needs shades!"), and the rule against having snacks. Tables and chairs were also discussed, with suggestions to swap out the chairs for ones with only 4 wheels to avoid tripping and getting wider tables to avoid dropping your computer off the edge.
Room is always locked and not clear on where to get a key, though there is access through the SCUA staff offices.
405 was described as a "solid room," conveniently located, well sized, clean, and with good lighting. Got the most fifth place votes, and occupies a middle space after the top three rooms but before the next lower band of scores.
Major cons were the fishbowl-like setting with traffic passing the large windows ("needs shades!"), and the rule against having snacks. Tables and chairs were also discussed, with suggestions to swap out the chairs for ones with only 4 wheels to avoid tripping and getting wider tables to avoid dropping your computer off the edge.
Room is always locked and not clear on where to get a key, though there is access through the SCUA staff offices.
#5. Room 204c - yellow
After the top four, there is a natural break in the scores with the next five performing in a similar group. Room 204c ("yellow") was the biggest surprise, performing better than I would have expected.
History: First occupant in 1983 was the head of the Order Department, Margaret Orr, then Pam Rebarcak. Mary Lou Hines had the pasting machine here to attach card pocket in the back, though it was loud and her office was elsewhere. Has also been used for scanning/DI/Kim Anderson's office. The window above used to be open and there were worries that sound could get out for all of 204 to hear.
The massive whiteboard and working tech with camera were mentioned as positives. People suggested the chairs be yellow to match the theme, and changing the whiteboard trays at shoulder height to magnetic cups would help avoid smashing into them.
History: First occupant in 1983 was the head of the Order Department, Margaret Orr, then Pam Rebarcak. Mary Lou Hines had the pasting machine here to attach card pocket in the back, though it was loud and her office was elsewhere. Has also been used for scanning/DI/Kim Anderson's office. The window above used to be open and there were worries that sound could get out for all of 204 to hear.
The massive whiteboard and working tech with camera were mentioned as positives. People suggested the chairs be yellow to match the theme, and changing the whiteboard trays at shoulder height to magnetic cups would help avoid smashing into them.
#6. Room 198
Room 198's inclusion in this contest was also questioned. The large number of fifth-place votes received (a sign of grudging respect?) put its score just over that of Room 204a.
History: the original 1924 "Reserve Room" where students could read the dozens of copies of textbooks available to use. Interestingly designed to be slightly larger than the original "Periodical Room" (now The Catalyst) on the other side of the old entrance hallway. Later home to Special Collections before the 1983 south addition, then home to PZ children's books.
Respondents appreciated that this room gets lots of sunlight, has enough room to spread out, and is very open.
However, the PA and sound are very problematic, with lots of echoes and poor acoustics. Intimidating tech and difficult to schedule. Not good when too few attendees spread themselves thin.
History: the original 1924 "Reserve Room" where students could read the dozens of copies of textbooks available to use. Interestingly designed to be slightly larger than the original "Periodical Room" (now The Catalyst) on the other side of the old entrance hallway. Later home to Special Collections before the 1983 south addition, then home to PZ children's books.
Respondents appreciated that this room gets lots of sunlight, has enough room to spread out, and is very open.
However, the PA and sound are very problematic, with lots of echoes and poor acoustics. Intimidating tech and difficult to schedule. Not good when too few attendees spread themselves thin.
#7. Room 204a - red
History: originally designated as office for the Serials Department Head, Jean Cook, in 1993. Lots of change over between conference room and individual office over the years; Wayne Pedersen, Janet Arcand, most recently Dawn Mick's office. Was the first Scanning Room, which worked well as it didn't have any windows. Dorian Stripling set that up as part of his role supervising the Binding operation.
Convenient and with good whiteboards, but anything more than three people can start to feel cramped. Sound carries outside, and all the rooms in 204 are in heavy demand. Called a "time-out" room.
One respondent held a grudge against the tech in here, as it was the first place they tried Solstice and it didn't work, though they graciously noted, "I am open to the possibility that I didn't know what I was doing."
Convenient and with good whiteboards, but anything more than three people can start to feel cramped. Sound carries outside, and all the rooms in 204 are in heavy demand. Called a "time-out" room.
One respondent held a grudge against the tech in here, as it was the first place they tried Solstice and it didn't work, though they graciously noted, "I am open to the possibility that I didn't know what I was doing."
#8. Room 140
Responses indicated low awareness of 140, with most saying they had never used it. The room is kept locked and you must get the key from the Main Desk.
History: "Original 1983 remodel design was to have this area be a ring of windows with frames originally painted red. Idea was to stand out so patrons would know they had arrived at the most special and unique place....the Microforms Center." Until recently, it was home of the Instruction Department and Library 160; has also housed a variety of student success initiatives and vaccine clinics.
Overall, high marks for size, but low marks for use of that space; "eerie to meet in a giant, mostly empty room."
History: "Original 1983 remodel design was to have this area be a ring of windows with frames originally painted red. Idea was to stand out so patrons would know they had arrived at the most special and unique place....the Microforms Center." Until recently, it was home of the Instruction Department and Library 160; has also housed a variety of student success initiatives and vaccine clinics.
Overall, high marks for size, but low marks for use of that space; "eerie to meet in a giant, mostly empty room."
#9. Phone Booth
Oh boy...you want to talk about divisive concepts? Run the 204 phone booth past the State Legislature in Des Moines.
No clear consensus emerged here. People either loved this idea or hated it (or had never tried it, but those that had quickly fall into one of the two camps). The phone booth surprisingly got three 1st place votes, the same as our 4th place (Room 405).
History: Installed March 2022.
Pros: "Cool idea," "I *love* this room," "I feel cozy like a cocoon," "perfect locale."
Cons: Claustrophobic glass coffin, handy for superhero costume changes, no privacy, on full display while in a meeting. Window/door could use a partial screen, stool is not height adjustable.
How many librarians can we fit into a phone booth?
No clear consensus emerged here. People either loved this idea or hated it (or had never tried it, but those that had quickly fall into one of the two camps). The phone booth surprisingly got three 1st place votes, the same as our 4th place (Room 405).
History: Installed March 2022.
Pros: "Cool idea," "I *love* this room," "I feel cozy like a cocoon," "perfect locale."
Cons: Claustrophobic glass coffin, handy for superhero costume changes, no privacy, on full display while in a meeting. Window/door could use a partial screen, stool is not height adjustable.
How many librarians can we fit into a phone booth?
#10. Room 031
Room 031 on the Lower Level got high marks on Size, with all responses choosing it as a Pro, but it got killed on General Ambiance and Windows.
History: was first used as the public smoking lounge.
Pros: "Easy to hear speakers." "Works but so darn awkward."
Cons: The columns were singled out multiple times as a large negative, though a few appreciated them to hide behind when having hat hair or to avoid the presenter.
The dreary gray color makes people ultra-aware we are underground. No natural/outside light. Must have special key to unlock door. Easily the least comfortable seating in the library, and the chairs do not accommodate all sizes.
History: was first used as the public smoking lounge.
Pros: "Easy to hear speakers." "Works but so darn awkward."
Cons: The columns were singled out multiple times as a large negative, though a few appreciated them to hide behind when having hat hair or to avoid the presenter.
The dreary gray color makes people ultra-aware we are underground. No natural/outside light. Must have special key to unlock door. Easily the least comfortable seating in the library, and the chairs do not accommodate all sizes.
#11. Room 204d - blue
Bringing up the end of the list, Room 204d couldn't get much going for it.
History: first occupant was Head of Cataloging, Dilys Morris, in 1983. Then office of Collen Hobert, then Lori Osmus Kappmeyer for many years.
Pros: One's respondent said it was their favorite of the 204 meeting rooms. Table has an interesting shape. Good for videos.
Cons: Needs soundproofing since sound leaks out. Screen has bad color and freezes but at least it has an OWL. Tech often down. Blue chairs were suggested. Window often overlooked.
History: first occupant was Head of Cataloging, Dilys Morris, in 1983. Then office of Collen Hobert, then Lori Osmus Kappmeyer for many years.
Pros: One's respondent said it was their favorite of the 204 meeting rooms. Table has an interesting shape. Good for videos.
Cons: Needs soundproofing since sound leaks out. Screen has bad color and freezes but at least it has an OWL. Tech often down. Blue chairs were suggested. Window often overlooked.
Bonus: Room 212
As the survey responses were coming in, I was informed that had I missed a room I wasn't aware of - Room 212, or the "green" room, located in 204 just before the West door to the emergency exit stairs.
This room actually received one second place vote via email, officially putting it at #12 on our list with 8 points.
History: "This room used to have special sound deadening panels, as the original function was for punching the IBM 80 column circulation cards, and also the source data card set of the annual (and updated monthly) Serials Catalog. There were several keypunch machines, and they needed a location close at hand to the marking and serials cataloging staff but separate enough to keep the clattering from disrupting other activity in 204.
The name 'Green Room' is when there was a 1-3 (or more?) month backlog of newly delivered but not 'Received' books and media materials. Some receiving and cataloging staff have performance experience, so it has some multiple meanings. Green as in new (or fresh-off-the-vine) books and also like the room performers wait in off stage."
This room actually received one second place vote via email, officially putting it at #12 on our list with 8 points.
History: "This room used to have special sound deadening panels, as the original function was for punching the IBM 80 column circulation cards, and also the source data card set of the annual (and updated monthly) Serials Catalog. There were several keypunch machines, and they needed a location close at hand to the marking and serials cataloging staff but separate enough to keep the clattering from disrupting other activity in 204.
The name 'Green Room' is when there was a 1-3 (or more?) month backlog of newly delivered but not 'Received' books and media materials. Some receiving and cataloging staff have performance experience, so it has some multiple meanings. Green as in new (or fresh-off-the-vine) books and also like the room performers wait in off stage."
More Fun Stuff - By Floor Analysis:
An optional question on the survey asked the respondent which floor their main office is on.
77% of respondents included this information (27/35).
77% of respondents included this information (27/35).
Of those 27, how did the scoring stack up?
The below graph breaks down the scoring (of those who reported where their office is) by room.
(Again, the point totals shown here will not add up to what was shown earlier since not all responses included office location.)
The below graph breaks down the scoring (of those who reported where their office is) by room.
- 140 got most support from floor 1.
- 153 got points from 7 of the 8 respondents from floor 1, 6/12 respondents from floor 2, and all 6 respondents from floor 4.
- 197 enjoyed broad support from all floors of the building, though slightly lower on floor 2.
- Colleagues from the 4th floor are the biggest fans of Room 198.
- The various rooms in 204 got most of their points from voters on the 2nd floor.
- 304 received points from 6/8, 8/12, 1/1, and 3/6 voters on floors 1-4.
- 405 got only 2 of 6 votes from floor 4, and showed surprisingly strong support from other floors of the library. Snack restrictions may play a role here.
(Again, the point totals shown here will not add up to what was shown earlier since not all responses included office location.)