Mikkelsen Library Makeover

I may be a little biased, but I think we have an amazing team at the library! We have (in 3 short days) moved the Oversize, Curriculum, Juvenile and Media collections (and much of the shelving) to their new homes. Communication will be challenging this week as we move from our “summer home” to our new digs! The library remains closed this week so we can continue to move offices, collections and furniture. If you were on campus today, you may have felt the earth moving as crews began tearing down the southwest stair tower. Here are few pics from the last few days.

Oversize has a new home with re-allocated shelving.

We unloaded the juvenile shelving. The Henry Carlson crew helped us to move it to its new home. And the we started reloading the shelving!

New circulation desk. The front is refinished wood from the library’s staff lounge. It is a great focal point as you enter the main doors.

Crews have started to tear down the southwest stair tower. This will allow the windows to be expanded to allow for more natural light on each floor.

Workers have started to lay the new (yeah!) carpet in the 1954 building.  Here is a peak at the new reference area.  You can also see the beautiful (original) wood paneling and shelving that has been refinished.  We would love to just walk around and “ooo and ahh”, but we don’t want the work to stop!

Work continues on the exterior of the library as well.  This week landscapers added a retaining wall outside the media services door.  It is a striking addition to the campus side view of the library.

The staff is working to prepare for the move to the new space.  It is hard to believe how much has changed since the end of May!

It’s fun to see how the new building is evolving, but some have been interested to see where the Library staff has been living and working during the renovation. Here are some pictures of our temporary office space!

Some staff have been residing in the Center for Western Studies.

The new circulation desk has arrived!

It looks great!  I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Work continues on the fireplace.  It will be beautiful!

The staff is excited to try out the new south stair!

The new exterior stair tower is moving right along.  Crews have painted the stairs and installed the frames for the windows.  The next step is to pour concrete for the stairs.

Painted stair.

Crews cleaning the limestone bands.

It has been exciting to see the doors and windows being installed in group study rooms and offices!

The view from the new exterior stair tower will be beautiful. Here a few sneak peaks! Enjoy!

We sometimes forget that our neighbors and passersby see a lot of work happening on the Mikkelsen Library! Several construction projects are underway within a few blocks, so it’s sometimes tricky to get from Point A to Point B! I’ve included some pictures so you can get the flavor of Summer 2008.

East Parking lot

Exterior stair tower

East side of Library

The library has reopened today for the beginning of summer school. Access to the library is available on the campus side of the link.

Demolition of the internal stair continues, so it can be a little noisy in the library. Public access will be limited to the lower level. Staff will be happy to assist patrons needing items from our book collection.

Here is what remains of the internal stair . . .

The crews have begun pouring the footings for the new external stair tower on the south side of the building.

If you’ve walked past or spent time in the Mikkelsen Library in the last few weeks of spring semester, you have no doubt noticed lots of changes. Much of what made our library lively and welcoming—plants, beautiful art and sculptures—have been moved! Despite the stripped-down look, the library is humming as students prepare for finals. Remember–we are open until midnight through Thursday, May 22 and we open at 7:00 am each morning through Friday.

The Big Move to compact shelving has begun, and please excuse the noise that goes along with it. The library will close on Saturday, May 24 at 2:00 pm and will be closed to the public until Monday, June 9. The bookdrop will remain available until after Memorial Day. After that, books may be dropped off at the Commons desk. More details will follow!

It’s an exciting & messy time—sort of like giving birth. And we can’t wait for everyone to meet the newest addition to the Augustana family next fall.

Finally, keep checking the blog over the summer whether you’re in Sioux Falls or not. Cheers!

On Friday, April 18th, Augustana College celebrated the Blessing of Renovation on the steps of the Mikkelsen Library.  After the blessing, a reception was held in the reading area adjacent to the north windows.

Photos of the event are available at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikkelsenlibrary/sets/72157604607999956/  

Thank you to President Oliver, Rev. Paul Rhode, Dr. William Swart, Ronelle Thompson, Collin Taphorn, Kate Ahlers, and the Augustana Brass Choir for their participation in this event.  Thank you also to all those whose gifts have made this renovation a reality.

Soli Deo Gloria!