Work continues on the main and second floors

The old circulation/reserve desk has been demolished, and the lobby is getting the automated sliding glass doors that will form our new entrance.

Removing the old circulation desk.

Knapp Hall's open study space in the old cafeteria is providing a quiet alternative to the bustling library right now.

Installing the new glass sliding entrance doors.

Upstairs, some new spaces are getting carpet and furniture. 

November update

Renovations are progressing in Greenley Library. Things are a bit noisy, so we encourage people to use the old cafeteria in Knapp Hall for quiet study.   The Library is closed for Thanksgiving from 5PM on Weds until Monday morning at 8AM.

The second floor is still closed, but coming along quickly!

On the main floor, the back section is closed off, ready for the next phase. When done, there will be over 30 PCs in this area.

The back of the main floor, where our enlarged computer area will eventually be. 

Here's a sneak peak up the main stair case, where a new ceiling, lights, and decor show.

Fall renovation update

There have been big changes in Greenley Library since August. The 2nd floor has been gutted, framed, and is being (noisily) worked on as we speak.

2nd floor

 In October, the first floor has also seen big changes, as most of the furniture, computers, and the old reference stacks were removed to ready the space for the next phase of renovation.  A temporary wall was built around the upper stairs so work can be safely done overhead.

Greenley Library is open during all this work, but for those who seek a quiet place to study during construction hours, Knapp Hall's old cafeteria is still available.  All of the computers and printers have been moved to the lower level basement in the Library.  When work begins on the main floor the Reference Librarians will move to the basement to provide services there.

Librarians will be available for assistance throughout--somewhere!!

The stairs leading to the basement, with temp wall.

The reference stacks, shortly before they were removed. 

With reference stacks removed, the back of the main floor becomes an open space just waiting for our new computers. The brown stripes are the old carpeting that has been under the reference stacks for 40 years. Ref stacks will be relocated along the perimeter of the main floor, allowing for an open view from the entrance to the windows.

temporary wall

Computers temporarily moved to basement.

There are still 2 printers available. 

An invitation, 1973

The College Archives is home to many interesting documents and photographs, including this 1973 invitation to an Open House for the newly opened Greenley Library. The 2nd floor circa 1973 is seen in the photograph, before furniture had been brought in.  The building design won an award for the "innovative use of pre-cast concrete."

We can't wait for our Information Commons Open House!

It's quiet in the library today, so come on down to read. And don't worry, if the construction noise picks up, we have Knapp Hall cafeteria designated as a quiet study space from 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri.

Quiet Study Space available in Knapp Hall

Because renovation is noisy business (at least, the demolition part has proven to be pretty noisy so far), we have arranged to have a quiet study space available in Knapp Hall. The former cafeteria (for those of you who remember dining on campus before the Campus Center opened) will be a designated quiet study space for the duration of the noisy parts of renovation. For now, it will be open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.

image by blacktulip on flickr via creative commons license

Tear down the wall

Removal and demo continue on the 2nd floor in preparation for renovation. On the main floor, the reference stacks are being emptied by helpful student employees. All reference books will be available by request during renovation.

Some of our reference stacks. Future home of 30 computers and expansive views out our windows. Reference books will be housed along the outer walls of the main floor and on low-profile shelves.

 We realize that demolition is just as noisy as reno, so we are in the process of setting up a quiet study space in another building. As soon as it is available (possibly as soon as next week) we will make an announcement and post signs directing solitude-seeking summer students to the quiet study space. 

We will keep any chairs in good condition for the basement level, which will be a quiet study space after renovation.

carpet removed

study room demo

Note to self: make giant study notes.

The 2nd floor study rooms are now empty. All that remains are the chalk boards on the walls, still displaying the last scribblings ever to be made on them. One of these things is NOT like the other.

Shelfies

"Selfies" may have been the word of the year in 2013, but here at Greenley, "shelfies" is the word of 2014. As in, "where can we put these extra shelfies during renovation?" We have been clearing storage spaces to make room for our Reference collection during the renovation. Today we started emptying the shelves and moving the Reference books with the help of our dedicated work-study student employees.  Reference books will be available by request during renovation. Upstairs, campus staff continues to remove old furniture.

Faieza and Michael start moving the Reference books to temporary storage. 

We can tell where the most popular study spots have been--students and chairs wore the carpet down to the subfloor near the windows overlooking the fountain.

Removal begins

The furniture is being moved out, reference books are being temporarily housed, and offices are being relocated.

It's official! Greenley is getting a facelift!

After more than 40 years, Greenley Library at Farmingdale State College is getting a major renovation. The public spaces on the main and second floors of the Library will be completely renovated, and will house the future Information Commons, which will bring the The Tutoring and Writing Centers into the library on 2nd floor. We will have improved group work locations, computer facilities, and other spaces for students. There will also be space for the Center for Teaching and Learning Technology. We will post updates on building access, location of services during renovation, and of course, lots of progress photographs.   Here are some before photos taken in early Summer 2014.

View from 2nd floor before renovation

Reference stacks and computers will be relocated on main floor

Periodicals desk before renovation

Group study spaces will go on 2nd floor

Government Documents wing will become Tutoring and Writing Centers