Many of Berry Library's services, including 24-hour study spaces and public computing terminals, became available to students this week -- more than two weeks after Berry Library phase one's intended completion on Sept. 19.
Other services, such as the late-night Novack Caf, are expected to open in the middle of next week, according to Project Works Manager Shawn Donovan.
Major work on the library was completed this week included installing public computing terminals and wiring study carrels, Donovan said. Crews also worked to complete the grand staircase and adjust climate control and lighting within the building.
The only remaining work, Donovan said, is completing a list of repair items, which will be done over the next month.
Crews are now set to begin phase two of the process, which includes renovation of Baker Library and construction of Carson Hall off the northwest corner of Berry, which will house the history department, Donovan said.
However, the interim period between completion of work on Berry and the start of renovations on Baker has left many students searching for more than just books.
"A lot of things have been moved," said Allison Clancy '03, who works at the reserve and information desks in Baker.
Upperclassmen especially, who are used to knowing where to find things, have been coming to the information desk for help, she said.
Most students want to know where the new videotech center, circulation desk and print window are located, according to Clancy. All are now in Berry.
The circulation desk is temporarily located on the first floor of Berry, next to the elevator bank by the grand staircase. This floor also houses the information desk and reference books.
Public computing terminals are also located on the first floor. Other clusters can be found scattered throughout Berry, in addition to the remaining Baker main hall and the East Baker clusters.
The print window is located in the ground floor of Berry next to the Novack Caf and 24-hour study area. This can be accessed by the grand staircase on the main level. In the future, students will have access to the ground floor from the west through Carson Hall, Donovan said.
Additional study spaces are located along the north windows on levels 3 and 4, along with the majority of the stacks. There are also several group study rooms. The construction of Baker increased study space by two-thirds, said John Crane, chair of the Berry Library building committee.
Crane said one of the goals in the planning of the library was to offer different kinds of study space, including group spaces and social spaces. Spaces range from chairs to tables to study carrels.
"I can imagine students using the bridge between Berry and Baker as a place to spread out and study," Crane said.
Study space may become a premium with the renovations to Baker Library beginning this fall and finishing in the winter of 2002 at the earliest.
Among other improvements to the library, an elevator will be built on the east side, in order to make all parts of the library wheelchair accessible. Another elevator will be built in the stacks. This involves drilling a pit for the elevator equipment and building a concrete shaft, Donovan said.
Both Crane and Donovan said this work is likely to cause minor disturbances to students using Baker as a place to study.
"We've been lucky because most of the work up to this point has been happening outside the building. This next year and a half may be the hardest period because renovations will be happening within the building," Crane said.
"There won't be noise in the evening," said Donovan, "but it might cause a problem for students trying to work during the day. We're working with contractors to control noise and dust as much as possible."
"The challenge has been trying to create a scenario where all the library and computer services can continue with the least disruption. The goal is to keep all services up and running," Crane said.
So far, both Crane and Donovan have received mixed reviews about the new library. Feedback Crane has received about the new library has "fallen into two categories -- architecture and services," he said.
Many students, including Kate Reibel '03, expressed a dislike of the library's "cold atmosphere and hospital lighting." Others found their first trip to the library very confusing.
"It was very scary," Amanda Cropper '03, said. "I went Sunday to study on the 3rd floor, and I got lost."
"I like the windows, and the study carrels are great," Cropper said. "I think they should have waited and opened it when it's ready. Right now it's still a construction site, and first impressions are the longest lasting."
Both Crane and Donovan noted that the process is only half complete. "I want to make sure that students realize that only phase one is finished," said Donovan. "You can't judge Berry Library without seeing the finished product, and that includes the architects' vision of meshing together Baker and Berry."
"We're working to make available what needs to be available," said Crane. "If anyone has any problems with the library, I encourage them to let us know."
