Spring Break
Library construction begins soon
Greg Vandas
Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: News
As the commencement date for construction on the expansion to the Miller Nichols Library nears, the building has again become the center of attention on campus.
Phase one of the library's $70 million three-phase update, the installment of a high-density automated storage/retrieval system on the building's south side, begins after final exams end in December. The library's south entrance (facing University Way) closes Dec. 15 and will remain closed for the next two years.
With construction crews moving into the heart of the main campus for more than an overnight stay, Dean of Libraries Sharon Bostick, Ph.D., wants to make sure students, faculty and normal campus events adjust smoothly.
"Construction is tough. It's messy, it's noisy, it infringes on places, so we want to enhance as many library services as we possibly can," she said.
These enhanced services include extended hours during final exams, before the construction officially begins.
Pathway logistics is also an important factor in easing students' transition when the south entrance closes, according to Mark Mattison, assistant to Bostick.
"When people think of the front door of the library, they think of the south entrance. Since the front door is shut down for two years, we really need to direct people that there's a new front door," Mattison explained. "We didn't want people to have to just figure it out on their own."
Accomplishing this involves the renovation of nearby exterior paths, lighting and other campus amenities to guide library patrons to the north entrance instead, until a new south entrance can be built.
"I think an important part of the very beginning of phase one is that there will be lots of signage on campus to direct students [to the library] from the quad and Swinney Rec Center," Mattison said.
He reminds students and faculty the construction will not hinder all forms of research, though - much of the library's content is available online, too.
Phase one of the library's $70 million three-phase update, the installment of a high-density automated storage/retrieval system on the building's south side, begins after final exams end in December. The library's south entrance (facing University Way) closes Dec. 15 and will remain closed for the next two years.
With construction crews moving into the heart of the main campus for more than an overnight stay, Dean of Libraries Sharon Bostick, Ph.D., wants to make sure students, faculty and normal campus events adjust smoothly.
"Construction is tough. It's messy, it's noisy, it infringes on places, so we want to enhance as many library services as we possibly can," she said.
These enhanced services include extended hours during final exams, before the construction officially begins.
Pathway logistics is also an important factor in easing students' transition when the south entrance closes, according to Mark Mattison, assistant to Bostick.
"When people think of the front door of the library, they think of the south entrance. Since the front door is shut down for two years, we really need to direct people that there's a new front door," Mattison explained. "We didn't want people to have to just figure it out on their own."
Accomplishing this involves the renovation of nearby exterior paths, lighting and other campus amenities to guide library patrons to the north entrance instead, until a new south entrance can be built.
"I think an important part of the very beginning of phase one is that there will be lots of signage on campus to direct students [to the library] from the quad and Swinney Rec Center," Mattison said.
He reminds students and faculty the construction will not hinder all forms of research, though - much of the library's content is available online, too.
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