Project News

January

» 24/Hr Lounge Closed Jan. 9 - Jan 16th. 01/06/06
The Library's 24/hr lounge will be closed from Monday, January 9th through Monday, January 16 so we can complete the installation of some remaining decorative ceiling light fixtures. To provide students some seating in the area, some of the furniture will be placed in the foyer near the Honors College stairs and also around the general location just south of the 24/hr lounge itself. The 24/hr lounge will re-open Tuesday morning , January 17th.

July

» Tiered Training Room 10F 07/05/05
We are pleased that our tiered training room in the basement is nearly ready for use. The AV equipment has been checked out and ready to go. The remaining items needing completed include work on the handrails, re-alignment of a cabinet door, some carpet patches, and a few other misc. items. Tiered Training Room 10F completed....... 7/15 Systems installs laptops in 10F.......... 8/8- 8/12

» Much Anticipated Reference Desk/Computers Final Mo 07/04/05
Yes, the time has come for the much anticipated permanent move of the Reference Desk and computers that are currently housed in the east end of area 103. The new furniture arrives on July 15th. New Computer Furniture installed in 1 Red area 106....................... 7/15-7/22 Systems vacates room 107A and EPC begins using for paper storage......... 7/13 Systems installs 80 new computers on new furniture in 106................ 7/25-7/27 Move Reference Desk and existing computers to new furniture in 106....... 7/28-8/8 Move completed by 8/8 and Fall semester begins 8/22

May

» Installing Ducts --Noise 05/18/05
Over the next week or so ducts will be installed on 2 Red and 3 Red that will mean a high level of noise for adacent areas. Quieter study is available on 3 Gole, 4 Brown and 5 Brown.

April

» New 24/hr Lounge now open 24/7 04/18/05
We are pleased to announce the extended hours for our new library lounge near the library entrance is now 24/7. Access after normal library hours will only be by swipping your cougar one card.

February

» Elizabeth Rockwell Pavilion 02/11/05
The Rockwell pavilion on the second floor has officially been turned over to the Library. Library staff had the opportunity to use the pavilion last Friday with our Staff Celebration --and it seemed most everyone thought it to be quite impressive. A few lingering items are yet to be done in the room and will be done as the materials arrive. The remaining ceiling lights arrived yesterday and are being installed today. The installation of the mecco shades and work on the AV system has yet to be done too.

» 3M Book Detector Panels: 02/11/05
The glass book detector panels have now been installed with the exception of a piece at the south end. A change in design was needed in order to maintain adequate workspace clearance at the desk. Fabrication of this piece may take several weeks. A piece will also be installed at the 'L' junction of the glass to make it more secure. All in all--everyone seems quite pleased with look and feel of these panels, especially with the UH LOGO etching in the glass.

» Second Floor Atrium 02/11/05
The finish work on the soffits along the atrium near the Library Admin. Suite should be completed over the next couple of days and then a more permanent plastic wall will be erected. In the meantime, I have instructed Gilbane to make sure there is a temporary barrier placed along the atrium at the end of each day's work shift. As you recall, 2 Red is actually our alternate #7 and will not be finished as part of the current project. We hope to continue this work this spring however. For now -- a plastic wall will be erected at the atrium side and a corridor created along the east that allows foot traffic between the Gold, Blue and Brown Wings. This same type of access corridor between the wings will also be constructed on 3 RED. We also hope to complete some or all of 3 RED (Alternate #8) this summer/fall as part of the post project work.

January

» Special Collections Has Moved 01/24/05
Special Collections/Archives has now moved to their new facility on the 2nd floor. Use the Red elevators or main circular staircase.

» Work in Copier Room Completed 01/24/05
The installation of the glass along the west wall of the copy center has now been completed and all furniture and copiers have been moved back to their original place.

» Site Lighting 01/24/05
Many of the exterior perimeter lights have now been installed around the building. These lights are the new standard for campus. Existing fixtures on campus will eventually be replaced with these type of lights. The light in the art plaza has also been repaired and replaced.

» Completion of 1 RED 01/24/05
Work on 1 Red has nearly been completed and we should gain that space early February. The ramps that make the transition from the raised flooring into the atrium and corridor have been installed, the carpeting has been installed, the walls have pretty well been repaired and painted, and the new power and data have been run. The information desk has arrived and should be installed near the end of next week. The Mail Room will move into room 109C so that remaining area of 106 can be touched up and completed. This move will most likely happen during the first week of February.

October

» Additional Restrooms Now Available in Basement 10/27/04
We are pleased to announce the completion of our new public restrooms in the Gold Wing Basement. These are located east of the staircase.

July

» UH IT Support Center -- Must Use New Entrance 07/07/04
The Information Technology (IT) Support Center is MOVING to its new location is Room 58 of the M.D. Anderson Library. The IT Support Centers NEW and ONLY entrance is the Technology Support ServicesOUTSIDE entrance at the Librarys new Gold Wing (next to the University Center, nearest UH Entrance 1). Beginning July 12, 2004, Technology Support Services, including the IT Support Center, will NOT be accessible from inside the Library. Visit the IT Support Center for Help and Information with: Computer Accounts, including Account Creation and Password Resets (CougarNet, WebCT, email accounts and aliases) Discount Software Sales Classroom Equipment Distribution Mobile Computing, including wireless and VPN, laptops and PDAs and MORE.

June

» New Public Restrooms Open 6/23 06/22/04
We are pleased that our new long awaited public restrooms have now been completed and will be opened begining tomorrow morning. These are located within the corridor that connects the Brown Wing with the new Gold Wing on the first floor.

» Art Plaza Sculpture Installed Today 06/22/04
The Jim Sanborn 6ft scupture piece will be installed today. This art work will compliment the area and help make it a focal place on campus.

» Paving at Sculpture (pdf) 06/02/04
Paving at Sculpture (pdf)

May

» No AC in Blue Wing 5/11 05/10/04
Due to a replacement of a chilled water pump, floors 1-8 of the Blue wing will be without AC from 6am until 2pm Tesday, 5/11.

» Construction Fence Coming Down 05/10/04
We are pleased to announce that a portion of the construction fence along the south will be coming down soon. The sidewalk is currently being formed and then will be poured.

March

» New Library Entrance Opening Friday 03/15/04
We are pleased to announce that our grand new Library Entrance & Honors Entrance will officially open this coming Friday, March 19th. At that same time we will begin using our new space in the front atrium and a portion of the upper atrium on the 2nd floor.

» Free Campus Phones 03/15/04
The Library has added two free campus phones on the wall near the front entrance panels.

February

» Student Lounge & Restrooms Near Entrance Closed 02/06/04
It has been necessary to close both the public restrooms and the student lounge in preparation of the first floor Library renovation. Expect a new grand 24/hr lounge with many amenities upon completion by Septemeber, 2004. As far as restroom--follow the signs to the nearest restroom now in the Blue Wing, first floor.

» Public Phone Area Has Been Closed 02/06/04
In preparation for the renovation of the first floor-- the public phones have beeb removed. One public pay phone and two free campus phones will be installed on the wall across from the main service desk. Public phones are also available in the Cullen Building and the University Center directly south and east of the Library.

» New Classroom 115b Replaces Classroom 104 02/06/04
As part of the renovation of the first floor, classroom 104 has been closed and a new temporary classroom has been constructed. The new classroom 115B is located on the first floor of the Blue Wing adjacent to existing classroom 115A. Follow the signs.

January

» We Met the Kresge Challenge 01/20/04
Thanks to the many generous contributions and pledges that were designated before the end of December for the M.D. Anderson Library/Honors College building project, the University of Houston was successful in reaching the project’s $19.5 million financial goal by the end of the year and qualifying for a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. The financial involvement of more than 4,200 donors helped UH meet the Kresge Challenge. The contributions from this group of donors, combined with the Kresge grant, total more than $20 million. This private support, along with $25 million from the university, is funding the library’s $45 million expansion and renovation, which is scheduled to be finished in October.

» First Floor Move-in 01/09/04
The much anticipated re-location of the first floor red wing took place just prior to our holiday break...and went quite well-- thanks to the coordinated efforts of a lot of individuals. The Information Desk and all 144 computer workstations have been re-located to the new wing. The current access to this wing is temporary so make sure you follow the directional signs that have been posted.

» All Library Service Desks Relocating 01/09/04
All of the library's service desks, plus all associated book and journals collections, will be re-locating to the first floor of the new wing on January 14th. This includes the Circulation Desk, the Current Journals & Interlibrary Loan Desk, and the Reserves Desk.

December

» We Are Moving Into Our New Wing 12/17/03
We are currently in the process of moving the Information Desk and all associated computers on the first floor, Red Wing, to our new space in the new wing. This will be a temporary arrangement for about 9 months so we can now renovate our existing building. During this move itself Information Services will be provided from within our classroom 104 (near the main entrance gates). Some computers will be available for use at that location too. We hope to be moved in and ready for normals services within the next day or so.

» No Water in Library Tomorrow 12/17/03
As we connect the new Domestic Water Tank and supply, it will require the shutdown of water on Thursday, 12/18. This means that we will not have access to restrooms or drinking fountains from 8am until 5pm. The Library will be open 1pm-5:45pm.

» No Air Conditioning in Library Saturday 12/17/03
Scheduled maintenance on utility lines will require the shut down of the air conditioning in the Library on Saturday, 12/20. During that time the library will be open 10am-4:45pm.

October

» Large Trucks Delivery Via Front Entrance 10/14/03 10/13/03
On Tuesday (10/14/03) four large truckloads of soil will be delivered to the site via the front library entrance area. The first two trucks are scheduled to arrive at 6:30am with the remaining two at 10am. Flagman will be used to insure pedestrian traffic can be maintained.

» South Building Entrance Affected 10/10/03
As part of the construction of our new grand entrance area of the new wing--it has been determined that a portion of our existing south west wall will need to be demolished. A temporary wall barrier is now being constructed at that location. Access to the handicap ramp will be maintained. Be aware that this will create additional noise for those using computers in that area, although no computer workstations will be lost.

» Exterior Walls Update 10/10/03
The limestone wall has been completed along the east side and is quickly proceeding along the south side towards the west. Window frames are being installed right behind the limestone (the glass will be installed later-- 3rd week in November). It is important that the structure is "climatized-in" as soon as possible so some of the finish work can begin. It may require the use of temporary supplemental HVAC units on site. Some windows might also have to be "temp-ed in".

» Exterior Front Entrance: 10/10/03
The construction work on our front entrance area is progressing at a feverous pace. Footings, columns and steel seem to have appeared out of now where. Early this week we should see an elaborate set up of scaffolding within the "open-to-below" area that will traverse all three floors to within 6 feet of the circular skylight. This set of scaffolding will be used to work of the ceiling of the barrel roof area and the circular skylight itself. The rest of the required scaffolding needed for the barrel atrium work will originate at the 3rd floor level. This elaborate scaffolding configuration will remain in place for approximately 6 weeks. Every detail and caution is being taken to insure the overall integrity of the skylight itself.

» Ornamental Stairs: 10/10/03
The ornamental stairs to our grand stairway were installed last Saturday and look quite impressive (see photos). The smooth installation speaks highly of the quality of the underlining concrete work, where each prefab unit was attached. The units were set in place quickly and without the need for adjustments-- quite an impressive feat for such a monumental task. Since these stairs will contain in-laid terrazo and ornamental handrails-- they will not be used for access during construction. Those latter finishes will be done near the end of the project. Foot traffic between floors are via the emergency stairs along the south side of the building.

September

» Part of TSS Offices have Moved 09/19/03
The Technology Support Services Business Offices that were formerly in the Basement of the Library, near the student lounge -- have now moved in with the rest of TSS in the basement east area in room 55. Their phone extensions remain the same.

July

» Copy Center is Moving 8/1/03 07/25/03
As part of the construction of our new library wing--we will be vacating services in the basement as of August 1, 2003. The copiers in the basement will be re-located to other floors and the desk counter will cease to exist. The offices of Copy Services will relocate to room 201 on the 2nd floor, Red Wing. Once our new library is completed, the central copy service will be located prominently on the first floor.

June

» Installation of New Sprinkler System 06/27/03
During the summer, a new sprinkler system will be installed in the existing library. This should have minimal disruptions in your locating and retriving needed materials. If you need a specific item in an unaccesible area--please see the Circulation Desk for help. They will be able to retrieve the item for you.

» 2nd Floor Concrete Pour--Complete 06/27/03
The final concrete pour of the second floor will take place tomorrow (Saturday 6/28), beginning at 3am. Approximately 35 concrete trucks will be used. The contractor will have men posted at the southeast and south gates. All truck traffic should be completed by 10:00 AM. .....2 floors and then only 1 more to go!!

March

» Welcome Our 130 ft CRANE 03/31/03
The large 130ft high project crane was installed last week and has been a big hit. Expect to see it do its' thing over the next 6 months. It can be seen from most points of campus.

» Building Project Presentation 03/20/03
Recently, the Dean of Libraries gave a [PowerPoint] presentation about the Library Building Project. Enjoy it.

» Some Demolition in Basement 03/04/03
Over the next few weeks a portion of the far west end of the basement will be abated and then renovated so a new mechanical room can be built. A temporary wall will be built around the work, but it may be noisy at times near that area.

» Demolition of Stairwell C 03/03/03
The demolition of stairwell C will begin within the next week or so, and as with any "demolition" of concrete, it will be noisy at times in that area. This is the small stairwell that provides access to the roof on 3 red and serves floors 1-3 as emergency exits. It is located next to the old Library Development Office (107A). Mechanical rooms will eventually be placed in that immediate area on floors 2 and 3-- but for now, the area will only be demolished and then in filled with a concrete floor.

February

» Library Development Office has Moved 02/18/03
The Library Development Office complex has now been relocated from 107A in the Library to offices 9A, 9B, and 9C in the basement of the Library. Use the stairs leading to the student lounge and then go down the hallway to the right. The offices are then on the left.

December

» Arte Publico Press has moved 12/20/02
Arte Publico Press has now moved to the Law Trailer Village #13

» ITV Studio Room in Basement Moved 12/12/02
The ITV Studio room #14 in the basement has temporarily moved to the Law Village Trailer #1. This facility will eventually be located in the basement level of the new library wing.

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