Recently, our UCR Library facilities team completed the installation of upgrades to five study rooms on the second floor of Tomás Rivera Library, which are designated as the “David W. Musso Quiet Study Rooms.”

These improvements were made possible by the generosity of David W. Musso, a UCR Class of 1959 alumnus. During his time at UCR, if Musso wasn’t practicing on the football field, one could find him in the library, where he jokes that he spent most of his academic career. As a result, Musso has fond memories of the library and argues that it is the “heart” of the campus.

The renovations to Study Rooms 206 through 210 took several weeks for Head of Facilities, Dave Schuster, and Senior Building Maintenance Workers Robert Wong and Rocco Berges to complete.

Updated features include new sound-proof carpeting, ceiling tiles, and door sweeps, which allow students to speak at regular volume without their noise negatively impacting students in neighboring study rooms. “The sound-proofing is really good,” commented Wong. “We actually took decibel measurements to make sure it was working.”

Additionally, all of the David W. Musso Quiet Study Rooms have Idea Paint, which allows students to write directly onto one designated “Idea Wall”; a basket of dry-erase markers and erasers for brainstorming on the Idea Wall; and 32-inch flat screen TVs with HDMI, VGA, and audio connectors to foster group collaboration. Each room has also been freshly repainted and cleaned.

Additionally, Room 206 also has Idea Paint on the table surface, as well as on the Idea Wall itself.

Room 210 has seating for six people; Rooms 206, 207, and 209 can accommodate up to eight people; and Room 208 has seats for 12 students.

Beginning in August 2017, patrons will be able to reserve the David W. Musso Quiet Study Rooms through the library website.

University Librarian Steven Mandeville-Gamble recently confirmed that an additional five quiet group study rooms will be added in the near future, thanks to Mr. Musso's continued support.

If you are interested in supporting the UCR Library, please contact Clyde Derrick, Director of Development.

More about our benefactor:

Currently a resident of San Jose, David W. Musso was born and raised in Moreno Valley, California. While enrolled at UC Riverside, Musso belonged to the football team, Big “C” Society, German Club, and served as the ASUCR Treasurer. After graduating in 1959 with a degree in Physical Sciences - Mathematics, Musso served in the US Army. In 1960, he received an award for the highest grade in a computer programming course across the entire Army. He later earned his MBA from the University of Arizona and then spent more than 30 years working for IBM, where he specialized in the IBM 709 computer, before retiring in 1997.