The renovations of the Cross Campus Library (CCL) and the public areas in the Sterling Memorial Library (SML) basement, specifically “Machine City” and its adjacent restrooms, have officially started. CCL will close the day after Commencement, on May 23, 2006. The library is scheduled to re-open by the start of fall semester in 2007.

The primary reason for the renovation is due to the structural deterioration of the physical building. The renovation offers an opportunity to incorporate major mechanical, electrical, environmental, and telecommunications upgrades to meet current building codes, technological advancements, and standards for library collection maintenance. In addition, many of the library’s reading and service areas need to be upgraded to fulfill Yale University students’ expectations for places conducive to learning. This will be achieved by refining the CCL collections to be current and for intense use; consolidating the Library circulation and reserve services in CCL; improving study environments for individual study (i.e. improving weenie bins) and group learning (e.g. adding more group study rooms, flexible reading areas, and a study lounge where light food and beverages can be consumed); and providing dedicated areas for assisted learning with course support services and other knowledge management activities.

Several important changes to library staff, services, and collections are already in place or will be completed during this summer. The Linonia & Brothers Reading Room (L&B), and a room in the Philosophy Reading Room (SML 609) closed for reader use on May 10, 2006. Staff from Document Delivery and CCL Reserves will occupy the L&B through the summer of 2006. SML 609 will become the temporary home of the library’s electronic classroom. Thanks to an amazing book shifting project, the CCL Collection is now located in the first three floors of SML. Work also will begin this summer to relocate the Name-Title catalog cards to newly installed compact shelving in the SML basement (and by the end of summer, the remaining freestanding cabinets will be removed from the nave).

To provide readers with additional access during this time, the hours of entry into SML have been extended for the duration of the renovation. During the summer (10 May - 5 September 2006), SML will be open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 p.m., Friday from 8:30 – 4:45 p.m. Saturday from 10:00am – 4:45 p.m., and will be closed on Sunday. Please consult the Library’s web site at www.library.yale.edu for specific services available and exceptions to this schedule. Readers and visitors are urged to bring their active Yale University ID (Yale or library issued) to SML during the renovation.

Construction activity in the SML nave, in the Machine City area of the SML basement, and in Cross Campus, will kick into high gear during the summer months of 2006. In June, work will begin to demolish the existing staircase in the SML nave. A new stairwell and elevator connecting the nave with the basement will be built in an adjacent area that used to be known as the Cloakroom. The area known as “Machine City,” will be re-purposed this summer as a temporary location for student lockers; more changes are expected in this location later in the project.

By the middle of June, most of the Cross Campus (specifically the grassy area bordered by Berkeley College, SML, and the path between the Porter Gate and the Beinecke Plaza) will become a construction zone. An 8-foot tall fence will be built around this construction zone for the duration of construction. During the first four months [through about September 2006], most of the heavy demolition will be done with removal of debris by trucks entering and exiting from Wall Street onto High Street.

For the latest renovation updates, visit the Renovation web site at: www.library.yale.edu/renovaxn/phase2a

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Page Last Updated: 11/24/2009
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