NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 24 number 2 - Winter 2004

By June Brotherton, Administration and Advancement

Early fall 2003 Chancellor Marye Anne Fox appointed and charged the Library Building Committee, a group representing the university and the NCSU Libraries' faculty and student constituency, to begin implementation of the long-awaited Phase I of the Libraries' master plan, a $9.2 million renovation of the D. H. Hill Library's East Wing. The architectural firm of Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd., of Minneapolis, Minnesota, will design the renovation, which is being funded by the 2000 statewide university bond referendum.

Chaired by Vice Provost and Director of Libraries Susan K. Nutter, members of the building committee are Alexander De Grand (History), Michael Stoskopf (Veterinary Medicine), Erich Fabricius (Student Senate president), Chad Jordan (University Graduate Student Association president), Carolyn Argentati (associate vice provost and Donald E. Moreland deputy director of Libraries), June Brotherton (associate director for Administration and Advancement), Larry Alford (deputy university librarian, UNC-Chapel Hill Libraries), Jack Colby ex officio (Facilities Operations), Michael Harwood ex officio (university architect), David Rainer ex officio (Environmental Health and Safety), and Pat Williams ex officio (Facilities Planning and Design).

By renovating and redesigning the first-floor spaces in the East Wing, the Libraries will create much-needed space for 450 additional student study seats. These seats, which may be individual or group study seats, computer seats, or soft seating, will provide some relief for the lines of students who stand and wait for a seat to become open in the overcapacity Libraries.

In addition, the project will renovate and improve the quality of the overall space, seating, and lighting while enhancing access to collections in the reference area on the first floor. The plan also will consolidate on the ground floor staff functions for numerous departments and units--Acquisitions, Cataloging, NC LIVE, Preservation, Special Collections, Mail Room, Facilities, and Systems-to increase efficiency and security. The centerpiece of the renovation is new public space on the first floor for a Special Collections reading room and exhibition galleries.

"When you ask students years after they've graduated what they most enjoyed about their university experience, many of them fondly remember their time in the library," says Nutter. "Our students and faculty deserve an environment in which to study, collaborate, and conduct research that is both comfortable and inspiring. This renovation project marks the beginning of a master plan that culminates with a state-of-the-art library facility on Centennial Campus."

The entire reference area on the first floor will be renovated to create a setting where study seating is integrated into the reference stacks for ease of use. Breaking up large masses of study seating will also help reduce noise levels and create a quiet atmosphere more conducive to study. Patron computer areas will be placed in small clusters throughout the area, improving access and space in which to conduct research. Lighting will be replaced and carpet, paint, and other new finishes installed to create an inviting and comfortable study atmosphere.

All heating and air-conditioning systems will be replaced so that users will be more comfortable year-round and humidity better controlled to enhance preservation of the collections. The plumbing system will be brought up to modern standards, and the electrical system will be enhanced to increase capacity, especially in view of the high concentration of computers, printers, and copiers in the wing.

The most significant change will occur on the first floor at the east end of the wing. The current Cataloging Department space will be transformed into a Special Collections Reading Room, which will seat almost eighty people. The reading room will be open not only to scholars using Special Collections and Archives, but also to students and faculty to use as study space. An oval exhibition gallery will lead into the reading room. It will be used for major library exhibitions emanating from Special Collections and University Archives that may include photography, university historical memorabilia, and highlights from major research collections. A glass conservatory will be built in and around what are currently the old East Wing doors and will extend out into the slate area overlooking the Brickyard. This conservatory will hold smaller exhibitions and contain fixed and movable seating that can be used for study and quiet contemplation.

Phase I renovations of the East Wing are set to begin in December 2004. The project will be completed in spring 2006.