December 1999
Employee
profile
Scott Murr
Furman
Forum
What would you like Santa to bring you for Christmas?
Simplifying
the Christmas Season
A column by David E. Shi.
Around
campus
News from university departments
Milestones
New employees, promotions, anniversaries
InsideFurman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
Plans for library expansion finalized
Although it may be two years before the first spade of dirt is turned on a project to expand and renovate the James B. Duke Library, details of the expansive plan are now available.
Architects with the Boston architectural firm of Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott have finalized sketches of a plan that would completely renovate the library while adding a 48,000 square-foot addition to the rear of the existing building.
The firm, which also recently designed the Yale Music Library , the George Mason University Library, and the Emory Library’s recent addition and renovation, worked with library faculty and staff, library partners (future cohabitants of the facility), representatives from Facilities Services and key members of the administration to complete the drawings, which can be viewed online at http://www.furman.edu/IF/dec99/library1.htm.
The library’s scenic front, which faces Milford Mall, will change very little. The addition will extend from the rear of the current building to nearly cover a guest parking lot currently located there.
Janis Bandelin, director the library, says that the project will be accomplished in three phases. The first phase involves relocating ROTC, Institutional Research and Planning and Marketing and Public Relations, with the CCLC (Center of Collaborative Learning and Communication) moving into the basement of the library. Next, an addition will be constructed first with most of the library operations moving to the new area while renovation work on the main building is being conducted. Much like University Center expansion, the library will remain operational during the construction period.
"The future library will be a place that will inspire the seeking of knowledge and wisdom," says Bandelin. "Books and digital resources along with library services, will compliment student research, enhance information fluency, and promote lifelong learning."
Under the existing plan, the CCLC will be housed on the ground floor with the Education Curriculum Center, a multimedia/computer commons, a help desk, and collaborative study areas. The area will be transformed with windows and inviting interiors.
A spacious reading area, 24-hour study lounge which will be equipped with computers, several seminar and group study rooms will be located on the first floor. The reference desk and circulation department will also be housed on this floor.
Special Collections and the administrative offices will be on the third floor. The library’s collections will be displayed on the ground and first floors. The architectural centerpiece of the renovation will be a monumental stairway and a large atrium that will flood the three floors with light.
Plans call for Military Science to relocate to the Physical Activities Center. Institutional Planning and Research and Marketing and Public Relations will be moving to the Furman Administration Building and Hipp Hall respectively.
Bandelin says the construction timeline for the project is dependent on fundraising.