In 2018-19, library personnel redesigned and repurposed a former printer and copier room to create a second classroom and additional study space on the library's main floor. The renovation was guided by principles of supporting students success, learning, and equity of access to resources at OSU and in The Valley Library.

Inspired by these principles and the possibilities that come when naming a space, library personnel joined to rename what had been called the 2nd Floor West Classroom. After consideration, they landed on an OSU employee whose work has placed student equity at the center of their work while also making connections between their work and OSU Libraries, matching the intended purpose and use of the classroom. The group also proposed that the naming not come with a funding requirement, an equitable practice that allowed us to rename the classroom without that restriction. The reflective naming process was inspired by OSU colleagues involved with campus re-naming projects and with colleagues engaged in similar discussions at their institutions who observed:

"Many academic library buildings are named after someone, whether an inspirational thinker, a wealthy donor, or an influential professor or college president. These names are so commonplace that it can be easy to ignore where they came from and what their significance is...By examining what academic biases and societal oppressions the names of our buildings and spaces reflect, [we] encourage thinking about race, gender, and class on our campuses in a new way" (Tewell, et al. 2021, p. 179).

Renovation committee: Rachel Burgess, Stefanie Buck, Jane Nichols, Teaching and Engagement Department, Dave Manela, Emerging Technology and Services Department and many others at OSU Libraries in the Library Experience and Access, Building Maintenance, and Administration Departments

Naming Selection Committee 2022: Rachel L Burgess, Kelly McElroy, Jane Nichols, Chris Petersen, and Robin Weis

Room Re-Naming and Dedication Committee 2023: Natalia Fernández, Diana Park, Jane Nichols, Angela Haney, Rachel Burgess, and Robin Weis

1. Tewell, Eamon, Cynthia Tobar, Harvey Long, James Castrillo, and Fobazi Ettarh. “What’s In A Name: What Named Spaces Tell Us About Academic Libraries.” In Ascending into an Open Future: The Proceedings of the ACRL 2021 Virtual Conference, edited by Dawn M. Mueller, 179-188. Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2021.