Though a lack of funds delayed the start of construction for two years, renovations to Webster Hall are on track and scheduled for completion by this November, according to Assistant Director of Facilities Planning Jack Wilson.
Early in the construction process, there were a few "unforeseen circumstances" that caused some delays in the project, Wilson said, but these problems were resolved.
"We're two-thirds of the way done," Wilson said. "I don't see much problem meeting the deadline."
The construction of the Rauner Special Collections Library at Webster Hall will be completed before any major structural construction is done on the new Berry Library complex. However, there will be a period when the two projects are under construction simultaneously, Wilson said.
The official groundbreaking for the multi-million-dollar Berry building will be this May, and over the summer, construction teams will work to relocate utilities for the new building, he said.
The new design will serve two major functions: to house and care for the documents and works presently under the jurisdiction of the Special Collections branch of the College library system, and to provide new reading rooms and study spaces.
Some reading areas will be secured to allow researchers to study Special Collections pieces. Two study rooms will be public areas for study, much like the Tower Room in Baker Library, Wilson said.
There will also be a few "limited" displays of art and other works, Wilson added, including Special Collections' large book containing Audobon images.
The mezzanine level of the new building will feature a permanent collection of Dartmouth presidential portraits.
The Rauner Library design "still has that feeling of openness" that the old Webster auditorium had, Wilson said. The Special Collections stacks, surrounded by a massive glass and aluminum wall, will be located at the north end of the building, where the stage used to be.
In addition, workers constructed an underground set of stacks in the area connecting Webster with Baker Library last fall.
The Rauner Library will probably have the same hours as the Treasure Room, the current residence of Special Collections in Baker, according to Special Collections Librarian Phil Cronenwett.
Special Collections is currently open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The College announced plans to convert Webster in January of 1994. Many students protested the loss of Webster's medium-sized programming space which often hosted concerts and other such events.
The renovation was priced at $10 million. Between $3 million and $5 million in funding was secured from the Will to Excel Capital Campaign.
Renovations were scheduled to begin as early as the summer of 1994, but lack of funds delayed the project for two years, until Bruce Rauner '78 of Chicago donated $5 million dollars.
Construction began last May and the library is scheduled to open November 1, Wilson said.
