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Burke Library Construction Update Updates from the Library Director: |
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Update from Library Director Sara Myers: October 26, 2001 Recently, the construction crew began work in the main reading room of the library. They intended to remove the wooden panels on each side of the room in order to replace the heating units located inside the walls. Unfortunately, they discovered asbestos behind the panels. As a result, beginning Tuesday, October 30, we will have an asbestos abatement crew in the main reading room of the library. The crew will construct a plastic tent down the east side of the room which will extend about four feet into the room from the wall and will completely cover the book shelves. The reference staff will be placing crucial reference books on the tables in the reading room, so students, faculty and other researchers will have some access to these materials. This work should take about one week. The following week, beginning November 5, the process will be repeated on the west side of the room. Also during the second week, on Friday and Saturday, November 9 and 10, the contractor will need to cut holes in the reading room ceiling to install diffusers. In order to do this work, they will need to construct scaffolding in the middle of the room. (As you probably know, we already have scaffolding covering two of the stained glass windows.) For the safety of all patrons and library staff, we will close the reading room for those two days. In addition, during the next two weeks, new baseboard heaters will be installed throughout the library. We do not anticipate that this work will interrupt library operations. Once again, we apologize for these disruptions in your normal use of the library. One bright note--we do now expect to have heat in the building before Thanksgiving! Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns |
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Update from Library Director Sara Myers: September 25, 2001 Work began on the windows late last spring. The stained glass windows in the main reading room, the reference area and the conference room are being cleaned and repaired. The process, which should take approximately one month per window, includes removing each window, taking it to a glassmaker’s studio for cleaning, then releading and reinstalling it. At the moment, you will see scaffolding on Broadway and scaffolding in the main reading room, which the workers need in order to reach the windows. The scaffolding will remain in place until the entire job is completed, approximately sixteen months from now. There is also plastic sheeting draped over the reference books to protect them. If you have any trouble locating reference materials, please let the staff know, and we will assist you. The second part of the window work is taking place in the stacks. The plans call for removal of the old windows and, eventually, the elimination of the plywood that has covered them for years. The workers remove six to twelve windows at a time, leaving the plywood in place. The new windows, which have panes with solar protection, are constructed off-site. As the workers reinstall the windows, they remove the plywood. Thus far, they have completed four floors on the east side of the building. You may have noticed that numerous holes have been cut in the interior walls of the building. These holes serve two purposes. First, we have had to do some asbestos abatement, though we think that is now finished. Second, new pipes will be installed through many of the holes during the next three months. The installation of new pipes will also affect other areas of the Library. In the stacks, we will be draping large sheets of plastic over the books in the northeast corner of all stack levels. In addition, temporary masonite walls will be installed to confine the area where workers will be doing the installation. As well, the books on stack level five which are located on the shelving units immediately adjacent to the exterior walls have been packed into boxes and moved to the periodicals area. The empty shelving units will be moved into the aisles on stack level five. If you discover that the books you need are covered by plastic or not on the shelves or otherwise inaccessible, please let the library staff know, and we will do everything we can to help you. This phase of the work will last until mid-December, if all goes according to plan. Also, all of the radiators on L1 through L5 are currently being removed. This work will be completed by the end of the week. The radiators will eventually be replaced with smaller, more efficient models. In the stacks, most of the overhead vents in the center aisles will be removed. We believe that this will be done next week. Finally, until March 2002, access to all books with pre-1861 imprints, which are housed in the Brown Tower, plus the Archives and the Missionary Research Library, will be severely limited. We kindly request that anyone planning research projects take this situation into account. We very much apologize for the noise and the disruption that will take place during the next several months. The Library staff will do everything possible to minimize the impact on you during all phases of the construction. For example, on the white board near the circulation desk, we will be posting the quietest rooms in which to work in the Library each day. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me (212-280-1505 or smyers@uts.columbia.edu). |