Northern Michigan University now has a formal library again, breaking the two-year long hiatus, but this library offers more than it did before. From new furniture, to an audio studio and more.

Student’s can expect little additions like more electrical outlets, more study pods and a fireplace lounge area. Students can also expect big things like a student access audio recording studio, a podcast room and more to come.

“This space is not fully functional yet,” said Leslie Warren, Dean of Library and Instructional Support at NMU. “The three bays will have VR (virtual reality) and then once the equipment is in and we have had training we will have recording rooms open for use.”

The library also consolidated its own resources like the Beaumier Heritage Center, a return of the Student Art Gallery, the Archives and the library’s own holocaust collection.

“We have a particular are of collections here,” Warren said. “It has been supported by donors across the last couple decades, for supporting a collection that tells the story of the Holocaust and its impact on the world. “

The books can be checked out like any other, and can also be loaned out to other local libraries. Along with that, the library has opened up its multimedia collection and added vinyl records for student use.

“We did not expect it to become retro or popular again, but now that it is we have these available to be checked out,” said Warren.

The Olson library is not just available for current students and faculty, but also has Community Borrower card where Marquette residents and beyond can use that card to check out books for a $25 nominal fee, with Alumni, K12 Teachers and other groups allowed this card free of charge.

“We have been planning this for probably the last ten years,” said Warren. “Its actually far before me that we have had people advocating for this. It has been decades of advocating to get to this point.