Scenes from the Library's new 3th floor (Completed December 22nd 2011)
Click images to enlarge.
Library Renovation Project Gets Green Light!
Over the summer, the 3rd floor of the Colbert Education Center and Library will be undergoing a major transformation. What’s in the works? Additional small group study rooms, new furnishings, a mix of learning spaces and new technologies will welcome students in the fall and combine to provide a comfortable, engaging, and flexible environment for learning and study.
Students, faculty, and library staff have contributed ideas and time to planning this project for over two years and the resources to make it happen have finally come together.
We realize summer students will be inconvenienced, but determined it was best not to close down the entire floor for the whole summer. We will do our best to minimize the inevitable noise, dust, and disarray that is part of a major renovation andhope everyone will agree that the end result is worth the short-term aggravation.
For updates and options for alternative study locations check this site and the project board that will soon appear on the third floor.
General Project Plan & Timeline
Major stages of the renovation project, estimated timeline and what to expect during
each stage. This will be updated as we learn more.
The calendar will provide more detailed information.
Stage 1. ( Completed 7/6 )
Construction of new study rooms
Start Date: June 6
Duration: 3-4 weeks
What to expect:
TRAFFIC:
Construction materials will need to be delivered. Because the elevators
are too small to accommodate wall studs, wallboard, glass panels, etc., much of this
will be carried through the Library.
NOISE:
Existing carpet will be removed, steel studs will be fastened to the
concrete floor and to each other; metal framing for glass will be installed; sawing,
hammering, and other construction noise. Some days will be noisier than others.
Some work, like securing metal studs to the concrete floor, will be extremely noisy,
reverberating throughout the building.
DUST & PAINT FUMES:
A plastic barrier will be installed to minimize dust and
fumes, but these cannot be completely contained.
Stage 2. ( Completed 7/30 )
Recarpet entire floor
Work Schedule: Every day ( weekdays AND weekends ) 5 am - 3 pm
Start Date: Friday, July 15
Duration: 3-4 weeks
What to expect:
RELOCATION/LIMITATION OF STUDY SPACE:
Sections of the floor will be unavailable for use during this project. The section being worked on will be roped off with caution tape and furniture within that section will be moved as necessary. The proposed sections and timeframe for each are shown on the posted floor layout and is also on the renovation website. Work will begin in the yellow section and move around the floor in a clockwise direction.
NOISE:
Furniture will be moved within sections being worked on. Existing carpet will be ripped up and remaining glue will be scraped off the floor. Shelving will be moved. Noise will be intermittent throughout the project
FUMES:
Dust might be a problem as old carpet is removed. No volatile chemicals will be used to remove adhesive or to install new carpet squares.
Stage 3. Furniture Installation (Third floor will be closed beginning Sunday, December 18)
A. Install new electric circuits
Floor plan with Electrical schedule. ( click to enlarge )
Work schedule:
Saturday, Dec. 17 5 am - 8 pm
Sunday, Dec 18 5 am - 8 pm
Monday, Dec. 19 7 am - 5 pm
What to expect:
NOISE:
This work will be noisy at times, as furniture is moved and metal conduit secured to columns.
LIMITATION OF STUDY SPACE:
The floor will remain open, but students might want to move to another floor or
to areas away from the two primary work areas (Quiet Study Area and Open Floor
outside Archives and Men's restroom).
B. Remove existing furniture & install new furniture
Start Date: noon, Sunday, December 18
Duration: 4-5 days
What to expect:
LIMITATION OF STUDY SPACE:
The third floor will be closed until this is complete
PLEASE REMOVE ALL PERSONAL ITEMS from carrels and tables by Saturday, Dec. 17
The second floor will be open 24/7.
The 4th floor will be open normal holiday hours:
Monday, Dec. 19 through Thursday, Dec. 22 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Use the elevators to get to 4th floor.
Floor plan of the new third floor
This floor plan is very close to the final design. Since we are working with multiple vendors to provide the furniture, no single vendor’s plan is exact. The new plan will almost double the seating capacity of the floor and include wired study clusters that will provide more privacy and the capability to plug in multiple devices, and wheeled tables that can easily be reconfigured to accommodate group or solo work.
Preview of our new Furnishings
Click images to enlarge and see our selected patterns and fabrics.
