The Renne Library is probably one of the best libraries I have been to. They have everything from books, to DVD’s you can check out, online reserves to peer-reviewed journals, classes and workshops that can help you enhance your skills when it comes to Excel or Microsoft or any professional program that you might be using now or thirty years down the road. I have spent many nights, or mornings because I was there till 2am, in the Library with friends and a large cup of coffee just trying to get all of my assignments done and I am so thankful that we have a place that we can go and do homework, socialize, study, and also just relax and get a break from our crazy lives!!
Not only does the Library look amazing, but they have awesome services. My advice would be just to explore the Library website, ask questions, or even go on a Library tour (they are pretty awesome)
Fun Facts about the Library
MSU Library’s building, Renne Library, was named after Roland R. Renne (1905-1989), the president of Montana State College from 1943 to 1964. Renne Library is centrally located on campus between the Strand Union Building and Reid Hall.
MSU Library’s Heathcote Court on first floor features a Rudy Autio sculpture titled “Kosmos,” a new book area, comfortable seating, an art exhibit area, and The Brewed Awakening coffee bar—see the Collegian article (Fall 2004).
The third floor reading room is “tailored to accommodate the study needs of contemporary students” and displays 8 lithographs and 3 digital reproductions of oil paintings by Livingston artist, Russell Chatham. (See the article by Tracy Ellig)
In August 2002, Mark Stasz, a Bellevue, Idaho-based sculptor, installed a fountain of his own creation on the third-floor, as part of the state’s Percent for Art program. “Young Fancy Dancer,” a print by Native American artist Kevin Red Star is on display on the 2nd floor of Renne Library.
The second, third, and fourth floor lobbies of Renne Library have stained glass artwork by Virginia artist Maureen Melville. Subjects depicted in the artwork are William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein, and Florence Nightingale. These pieces were chosen via a national competition and were funded by the state’s Percent for Art program.
In May 2003, Renne Library “won the Montana Library of the Year award for its transformation from 1950s sterility to a pleasant, contemporary space” by the Montana Library Association at their annual conference in Butte. (more from the Collegian, Summer 2002)
Take away message: Utilize your resources, like the Library, people put a lot time, money, and effort into building these beautiful facilities and if we don’t take advantage of them, we are wasting our college dollar! (and that’s a lot of dollars)
Montana State University 