Brad Massey, a freshman from St. Louis, Mo., only goes to the third floor when necessary.

“It is hot, and it is uncomfortable. I don’t want to go up there, but I have to because it’s the only place my jump drive will work,” Massey said.

There are several reasons for the warm temperature, and one is related to construction on the library’s air conditioning / heating system.

“Right now we are performing an air conditioning/heating system upgrade involving all new equipment. It is difficult for us to perform major retrofit while the building is in use,” said Neal Shirley, supervisor of heating and air conditioning on campus. “Our challenge is to keep the building usable and comfortable while replacing major components which control the temperature.”

However, this factor is not the only one contributing to the temperature. Another factor is the increased number of computers on the third floor.

“The problem is a whole bunch of computers in one area,” Shirley said. “Computers generate a lot of heat. The area has changed from a study area to a computer area.”

In what ways is the temperature affecting BYU-Idaho students?

“It’s hard to stay awake, even sitting at a computer,” said Alesha Scott, a freshman from Kennewick, Wash.

Some students have started to avoid going to the third floor altogether.

“I avoid the third floor because of the heat,” said Kendell Funk, a junior from American Falls, Idaho. “Seriously, they have got to do something about that.”

Other students are seeking out solutions to the heat, at times even humorous ones.

“The other day, a guy called down to the circulation desk asking for a fan,” said Kerry Stentzel, a junior from Murray, Utah.

The ongoing construction project began in mid-October and will go until May 2007. However, there is an end in sight. Plans to replace 96 terminal reheat boxes will increase air flow in the library.

“The ducting and air flow design was for a library, not a computer facility,” Shirley said.