It’s an exciting time on the Life Chiropractic College West campus as the college continues work on several intensive projects to meet new needs and move the institution forward.
Remodeling the Life West library
The new library layout provides a more wide-open space.
The library may be closed due to Alameda County regulations, but that doesn’t mean staff members haven’t been hard at work. When the library reopens to Life West students, faculty, staff and alumni, members of the community will see significant changes to the space.
The main room has been remodeled, with stacks of books and journals moved to a new “reading room” area. The open layout will allow for more customization from those using the space, as well as the creation of unique learning areas within the library.
“It’s going to be a more collaborative area,” Life West library director Barbara Delli Gatti said. “We want to get furniture that can be put together or pulled apart. We want additional mobile whiteboards that can be moved around and placed in different zones of the library to create little learning spaces of their own.”
Another notable change is in the area that formerly housed the computer lab. It’s now the home of Life West’s chiropractic museum, which has been relocated under the direction of Dr. George Casey.
D.D. Palmer’s office remains a main attraction within the museum.
“The museum will now be a centerpiece of activity where visitors will have easy access to the remarkable history of our chiropractic profession as they study and lounge in the pleasant and peaceful environment of the library and its computer center,” Dr. Casey said. “Most of the previous artifacts are on display, including the D.D. Palmer replica office, the chiropractic history mural, and the Life West display. Visitors will notice several new artifacts and description plaques that describe the history of each piece.”
Delli Gatti believes this will provide even more benefits for students, particularly those enrolled in chiropractic history classes.
“Some of the classes can come in, tour the museum, come into the library, and do research for the different projects they might be doing about chiropractic history,” she said. “I think there will be a nice intermingling of the two departments together.”
The library has also gotten new carpeting, and several walls have been repainted. The entrance of the library is also being revamped. Delli Gatti says the area will feature a coffee machine and cafe-style seating where students can study and relax between classes.
Finishing the Gross Anatomy Lab
Thanks to the support of Life West’s alumni and friends, the school completed its Gross Anatomy Lab Capital Campaign in June following Life West’s Giving Day. This campaign called for the purchase of four Anatomage Tables during the next several years, and the first table was delivered to campus earlier this summer.
David Straub, head of the Life West basic sciences department, supervises the delivery of the first Anatomage table.
“We are so indebted to the Life West community of generous benefactors and donors who helped bring the Gross Anatomy Lab Capital Campaign to a successful conclusion,” said Life West director of institutional advancement services Tom Hyland. “The digital dissection tables by Anatomage are already part of the classroom and online learning experience. Thank you all for enhancing the basic sciences teaching and learning experience.”
The second table will be delivered to Life West by the end of the year. The campaign also includes upgrades to the anatomy lab such as high-definition recording and display devices. The college has also purchased two new cadavers and five new sets of cadaver bones.
Changes in the gym
Finally, Life West continues to plan for construction in the school gymnasium. When Life West’s annual conference, the WAVE, was announced as an on-campus event, plans called for the addition of two new doors in the gym. This will increase the capacity of people in the facility and allow for a smoother flow of people between the gym and the Standard Process Assembly Hall.
When the WAVE was moved to an online environment, the project was postponed. However, construction plans are back in motion, and Life West is in the process of obtaining necessary permits to get the work done. Once this is completed, the gym will be able to hold larger events with more guests from inside or outside the school.
