A microcomputer lab with about 25 Apple Macintosh computers will open in Pollock Library within the next two weeks, adding to the roughly 800 computers now available in on-campus labs.

Because Pollock Library is open around the clock, the lab may also be open 24 hours a day, said James Kerlin, deputy director of the Center for Academic Computing.

According to CAC records most students prefer Macintoshes to IBMs, Kerlin said. Of the 13 University computer labs, nine offer Macintoshes.

Kerlin said CAC's goal is to increase the number of microcomputers by 200 each year. The center will not be impeded by University budget cuts, he said, though he added that the center spends about $5,000 per computer in a new lab.

"Adding computer facilities is very costly and also (replacing) software, which we try to update with the most recent conversions," he said.

Since many existing computer facilities are often overcrowded, the new location will give students another place to type papers or work on computer projects.

"Labs in different locations get too crowded . . . since there are already so many people in Pollock, this one will be very helpful," said Lisa Bellman (sophomore-elementary education).

Matthew Hevey (senior-pre-medicine) agreed.

"Computer labs are nice during the year but at the end of the semester they get a little too crowded. This one will be very helpful for this community," Hevey said.

Microcomputers are available for students' in Beaver Hall, Pattee, Findlay Commons, Redifer Commons, and Boucke, Chambers, Henderson, Mineral Science, Rackley, Sackett and Sparks buildings. The University provides one computer for each 52 students, Kerlin said. CAC's goal is to provide one computer for every 20 students.

"Labs belong to students and we are very pleased with those who use them," Kerlin said. "It is important to us (to) know the feedback from (students) and how we can improve our services."