While the public areas of the 1st and 2nd floors await removal of the old elevator and the arrival of new furnishings, the 3rd floor continues to be an obstacle course. Two-thirds of the floor is open to users, but the northwest section of the floor containing books with the call numbers PR3172 – Z is now behind a plastic zip-wall that will be in place until early May. Anyone who needs books in that call number range should check with the Circulation Desk staff.

Construction and renovation work on the 3rd floor will conclude at the end of May with the final finishes to the coffee/study area that will overlook the center of campus. By the end of May/early June, enough of the new 4th floor will be done to permit the installation of about 225 sections of new shelving. Once the new shelving is set up, the complex task of moving books from their present temporary locations to their permanent location will begin. Amid this flurry of activity, new furnishings will be arriving as well.

The construction and renovation work is scheduled to conclude by the end of July, barring any unforeseen circumstances, of course. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for August 19. Among those invited to take part in this auspicious occasion are Governor Jennifer Granholm and State Librarian, Christie Pearson Brandau.