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The Libraries remain on schedule to break ground for the Library West addition in November; various pre-construction projects announced in May are completed or underway. We are waiting on a review by our architects and construction management teams to learn the feasibility of completing the addition and renovation of Library West within a twenty-four month period, i.e., from January 2004 through December 2005; a response is expected by mid July. Such a plan is likely to save both time and considerable money that can be used for furnishing the enhanced and expanded Library West. If we are able to pursue this plan, then the following events will likely take place:
Scenario 1 (24 Month Period)
Scenario 3 (48+ Months
Period)
Another scenario being
considered would have the addition being constructed as planned
with significant portions of the existing spaces in Library West removed
from public/staff/book access/use because of the construction requirements
of the addition. In this program, the renovation would be phased so that
the building would continue to operate - at some level - as it currently
does, although there would likely be shifts in staff as well as shifts
in the collections and services. Whether the renovation would take place
on a horizontal level (top three floors, top four floors, etc.) or vertical
level (east side, then west side or vice versa) has yet to be planned out.
Whatever the choice, we would be looking at a total project that will likely
take at least four years to complete. The conditions for both staff and
users would be challenging: noise, power interruptions, dust, water interruptions,
etc.
In all scenarios outlined above, the aim is to reclassify from Dewey to LC those materials that would be shelved in the new Library West.
The provost has given support for a two-year project with the collections being physically inaccessible to patrons, but accessible by library staff who would retrieve materials for our patrons. It is our intention to provide as much support to our patrons as is humanly possible during this transition from the existing structure to the enlarged and greatly renovated Library West, the Humanities and Social Science Library for the University. Representatives from the departments and colleges served by Library West (CLAS humanities and social science departments, College of Business, College of Health and Human Performance, College of Journalism and Communications) as well as representatives of Student Government and the Graduate Student Council have been apprised of the pending construction implications. Please know that we will keep everyone informed and involved in the plans as they develop.
We all appreciate your support during this transition and we shall endeavor to provide you with as much support as we are able. We will continue to provide information to you as it becomes available.
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1999-2003 University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries
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