As you may have noticed, work has begun on renovations to the first floor of the Charles E. Young Research Library. The renovations will create enhanced facilities offering faculty and students in the humanities and social sciences comfortable, innovative spaces in which to study and conduct research as well as places for collaboration, exchange, and contemplation. The work is expected to last about twelve months.
I have provided a few details about the design below, but I first want to call your attention to some changes in how and where you will now access some services and collections in this building.
- Reference collection and services: The reference collection and services have moved to room A4510, at the west end of the A level, and hours of access have changed slightly. This is a temporary location; the collection and services will move to a new reading room on the first floor once renovations are completed.
- Periodicals and newspapers: These unbound publications formerly housed on the first floor have been moved to open stacks at the eastern end of the A level.
- Microformat materials: Many items formerly housed in Microform and Media Service on the second floor have been moved to self-service drawers at the eastern end of the A level. Some microformat materials are housed in closed stacks and retrieved upon request; ask for assistance at the service desk at the foot of the stairs.
- Maps: Many maps are directly accessible in drawers located at the eastern end of the A level. Some are housed in closed stacks and retrieved upon request; ask for assistance at the reference desk in room A4510, at the west end of the A level.
- Laptop loans: The laptop loan service desk is now housed inside the reference reading room, room A4510, at the west end of the A level, and hours of service have changed slightly. This is a temporary location; the service desk will move to the first floor once renovations are completed.
- Circulation desk: The circulation desk will remain on the first floor throughout the renovations.
Users seeking quiet study space should visit the third, fourth, and fifth floors; seating is available in carrels against the walls on all four sides as well as at tables in areas toward the front of the building. There will be a certain unavoidable level of noise from construction, generally between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays, in the study commons and reference reading room on the A level and on the second floor.
When the renovations are complete, the first floor will feature an expansive, glass-enclosed reading room; flexible group study rooms; a central area of computers in both solo and group configurations; an expanded conference center; a two-part exhibit space; a café and lounge areas; and a unified service point, at which users will be able to obtain information, check out materials, and seek assistance without visiting different desks for these formerly separate services. You can find more details about each element as well as on the project’s design and funding online.
