If you’ve ever walked to Malone through the side door, you’ve likely noticed the construction going on the first floor of the library. Well, you probably first noticed the absence of juniors crammed on the couch right next to the window, then the lack of couch and chairs and tables, and then realized that Westminster is undergoing a third renovation project. 

Although not nearly as publicized as the new Blake Innovation Center or the new ASK building, the Library Entertainment Center will be the most immediate construction project to dramatically change student life. Unlike the Innovation Center and ASK building, however, no trees will be planted to offset those removed for the sake of the Entertainment Center.

This sudden renovation of the library comes after the success of the Zen Garden, the Westminster Library System’s newest effort at mental health relaxation and restoration.

“It’s my new favorite place on campus for a Brain Break,” said senior John Smith. “Every free period I bury Deter’s I.D. in the sand pit and laugh at him when he can’t find it.”

Located in the back corner of the 2nd floor Library, right outside Parker Board Room, the area allows students to play with sand, draw lines in sand, brush sand, and sprinkle sand. In addition to the aforementioned sand pit, the Zen Garden also features Yogibo® bean bags and the occasional napping AP Bio/Euro student.

The Entertainment Center seeks to chase the Zen Garden’s leisurely appeal while being a much more intense and thrilling alternative. For starters, the school has purchased four new animatronics to watch over rowdy students: Larry Lion, Edward Eagle, Sammy Seahorse, and of course, Wiley Wildcat. Student reception has been varied.

On one hand, many students find it odd that the school is using animatronics.

“Not gonna lie, the thought of giant robots in the library scares me,” said sophomore Tasha Ledykh. “It’s already hard enough trying to focus with the smell of curry chicken wafting in from Malone.”

On the other hand, some students have shown support for this progressive step.

“At least I know Edward Eagle wouldn’t let my stuff get stolen,” said senior Deter Pavis.

Next, the former Learning Center (a.k.a. Extended Time Room) is being converted into a giant ball pit. On April 31, 56,000 green and white polyethylene spheres will fill the once most-serious room on campus.

“No one wants to read books anymore; all kids want to do these days is play Brawl Stars,” said Upper School testing coordinator Val Causevic. “Maybe if we get rid of them, they will increase the Janterm sorting algorithm budget.”

While that’s all we know for certain, speculated future plans include turning Causevic’s office into a Dippin Dots bar and the third floor of the library into an arcade.

With such dramatic changes, there has been a movement to rename the Carlyle Fraser Library, dubbed the “CFL,” into something more fitting. Among student favorites are “Campus Fun Lounge” and “Crusty Freshman Locus.”

“I think it’s quite funny how CFL can also stand for Chick-Fil-A,” said freshman Watrick Palsh.

Not everyone, however, is excited for the new recreation space.

“At first I thought they were going to build jail cells to let me reprimand students with overdue books,” said Librarian Karen McCarthy. “Turns out it’s just some Chuck E. Cheese ripoff.”