Renderings of improvements to Norlin Library. (Photo courtesy of Norlin).

The Norlin Library is nearly 70 years old and ready for renovation and rejuvenation. An ambitious, sequential plan (pdf) will update the venerable campus mainstay for today's and tomorrow's learners and researchers. New services will include a first floor learning commons in partnership with Information Technology Services and second floor research center. The first step – reconfiguring the current Periodical and Reference Rooms – is already underway and will include a variety of enhancements to current reference services.

Construction on the first floor northeast of a 15,050 square foot, technologically-sophisticated academic, study and social area will follow completion of the second floor renovation and is likely to begin in fall 2008 and to be completed in spring or summer 2009. The learning commons will be located in the current reference department space. It is being configured to remain open beyond regular library hours, perhaps on a 24/7 basis. Group study areas in the commons will feature furniture and equipment that can be reconfigured.

The estimated cost of the project is $5.2 million: $1 million of this budget comes from student computing fees over three years, and additional monies have been provided by graduate students for the relocation of reference and the remodeling of the current Mac Lab into a new graduate student study area to replace the older fifth floor facilities.

In a separate project, the east entrance to the building will be enhanced and the Norlin Sundial Plaza will receive a facelift in summer 2009. Plaza concrete will be replaced with softer, more ecological and porous surfaces. Most existing trees will be retained and new trees and plants will be added. The sundial area will be enlarged and enhanced. Outdoor seating is planned, complete with power for laptops. Even the existing wall will be enhanced for seating and will include electrical outlets. The outdoor lighting will also be upgraded.

Find ongoing news and updates about the creation of this state-of-art learning environment on the website. Questions may be directed to library liaisons or the Libraries Associate Director for Public Services, Susan Anthes at 492-6897 or by email.