Final Touches
Caution tape is keeping students out and dust still lines the shelves where books should be, but after more than two years of construction, the new Merrill-Cazier Library is set to open Sept. 19. For now, workers are just putting on the final touches.
With the university’s collection of books outgrowing the shelving capacity and concerns about the old Merrill Library’s ability to withstand an earthquake or even meet modern fire codes, the Utah Legislature approved $40 million to fund the new library in March 2003.
A Salt Lake City company, Jacobson Construction, broke ground on the site adjacent to the Science and Technology Library in May of that year, and crews have been working to complete the 189,000 square-foot addition since.
The Merrill Library was built in 1920, and two additions were built around the original structure in the 1960s.
“At the time, there weren’t any particular seismic codes,” Linda Wolcott, vice provost over the university’s libraries, said. “The concern was, should there be an earthquake, the buildings would vibrate differently, hit against one another and fall.”
Wolcott also said the Merrill Library was not equipped with sprinkler systems and there were even places within the building where fire alarms could not be heard.
“It’s a building built in the early 20th century,” she said. “It’s basically archaic.”
While the idea of simply remodeling the old building was discussed, Wolcott said just updating the technical systems would have cost $9 million, making it more cost-efficient to construct a new building.
The state-of-the-art facility will feature 150 computers, 30 group study rooms, a 50-seat cafe and an automated book retrieval system – just a few of the things that have library administrators excited.
“It’s the intellectual center of campus,” John Elsweiler, the library’s associate director for public services, said. “It’s going to really take its place on campus because it will be a single library that serves the campus entity.”
From the outside, the concrete and glass facade may seem a little cold, but Wolcott said students will be surprised by the library’s inviting interior.
“I think people are going to be surprised,” she said. “Expectations may not be as high as what they’re going to get. They’re going to find a building that’s very open and inviting, attractive and functional.”
With lounge furniture, chairs, sofas, foot stools, ottomans, plants and area rugs adorning the library, Wolcott said designers tried to create a “family-room feel,” and said she hopes students will have a comfortable place to study.
“People are going to want to be there,” she said. “Students are looking for a place where they can get the job done. The Merrill hasn’t always provided a very comfortable place.”
The design of the building will also help create a more social atmosphere, she said.
“It’s more than just a place to house books or study, it’s a place where you go to meet with other students,” Wolcott said. “There’s a very big social function to a library. We’re encouraging that in the design of the building.”
To accommodate group assignments, the Merrill-Cazier Library is equipped with 30 study rooms – each with white boards and computer hook-ups. There will also be wireless Internet available throughout the building.
“It will be a better place for using technology,” Wolcott said.
Wolcott said the best room in the library was allotted to the Quad Side Cafe. With plenty of natural light, a view of the canyon and more outdoor seating, she said the cafe will provide a good break from studying. While construction is being completed, the cafe will remain open in the Merrill Library.
A moving company has been transporting books packed in orange crates, from the old library to the new, since June.
During the move, all materials are still available for students, Wolcott said. If a book is in transit, students can request the item and library staff will track it down in a day.
“We’re just asking students and faculty to be patient,” Elseweiler said.
Close to half a million books will be available to students on open stacks. Other, less-circulated volumes will be available in the automated storage and retrieval system.
The ASRS is the first of its kind in an academic library in Utah, Elsweiler said. Students can browse the library’s catalog online, request the book and an electronic crane will find the book and deliver to the service desk. Wolcott said the process takes about two minutes to complete.
Another feature Wolcott is proud of is the “information commons.” Reference and computer services staff will be available near the library’s 150 open computer terminals to assist in research and projects.
“The reference department is going to be much more integrated with computers,” she said. “They’re cross-trained to help students find and apply information, to write papers and create presentations.”
Slowed arrival of materials needed to create a glass railing around the building’s main staircase pushed back the library’s opening. Crews had planned on opening the building to the public Monday, but Wolcott said the delays were to be expected.
“You’ve got to take it in stride,” she said. “It’s not a real big disappointment. It’s part of construction and you have to expect that.”
Still, she is confident that when the south entrance to the Science and Technology Library is sealed off and moved to the east, students will be happy with the end product.
A grand opening for the Merrill-Cazier Library is planned for Sept. 19. The building will be dedicated sometime next spring. The Merrill Library is designated for demolition in May 2006.
-acf@cc.usu.edu
The cafe in the new Merrill-Cazier Library is still under construction. When it´s completed, the 50-seat cafe will provide students with a place to take a break from studying. Photo by Jessica Alexander. (Jessica Alexander)
LIBRARY WORKERS load books from orange crates into the building´s automatic retrieval system. Students will access the ASRS online and an electronic crane will find the book and deliver it to the service desk. The process takes two minutes. (Jessica Alexander)