The J. R. Van Pelt and Opie Library Information Wall is a high-tech multimedia broadcasting digital display system providing the latest news about the weather, the world, the state, the campus and the library. The system provides four display screens near the entrance to the Library, and one display screen near the bridge to Rekhi Computer Science Hall.
The usual configuration for the Information Wall screens offers one screen each devoted to:
- Library news, announcements, services, activities, resource highlights and featured topics
- Michigan Technological University Electronic Display System (Michigan Tech EDS)
- NewsJET® news/weather programming, with an additional MessageBar providing news and weather information scrolling across the bottom of the screen.
- Michigan Tech Cable Service news selections
Programs rotate on a half-hour schedule. The cable service channels are equipped with closed captioning. The screen near the bridge rotates between all four display modes described above, on a half-hour schedule.
The system is equipped for sound. Normal operation is with the sound off and closed captioning on. Music is played 10 minutes prior to closing of the main library. The library has the option of turning on the sound for special events or activities.