Library move going smoothly

Library Affairs Dean David H. Carlson reports the move of the Morris Library collection to the new McLafferty Annex is going smoothly.

The move is in preparation for the $42 million expansion and renovation of the library. Carlson estimates that about 20 percent of the collection has been relocated to the annex.

During this first phase of the project, the basement and most of the first floor of the library will remain open. Floors 2 through 7 closed in August for renovation, and the south entrance to the library -- closest to Thompson Woods -- closed earlier this month. Upon completion of the expansion and renovation of the rest of the library, most of the staff and collections will return and work will begin on the basement and first floor.

The Library Affairs staff is doing its utmost to minimize the inconvenience to library patrons. A two-hour retrieval system is in place, with the library promising to have materials requested transported from the annex and available at the Morris circulation desk in two hours. Materials will remain on hold for two days.

Requests may be submitted electronically. Paper request forms are available at the circulation desk.