HSC Library Space: 2012 - First Floor Renovation

Below are some architectural renderings that approximate what the renovated space will look like.

For more details about our renovation plan, take a look at this presentation made by the HSC Library Director, Cecilia Botero, to the HSC deans and directors.

Most of the first floor has been blocked off for asbestos abatement.

Here's what it looks like without any furniture:

Wonder what's going on back there?

The HSC Library hosted a number of focus groups throughout 2011 for students, faculty, and staff to continue the conversation about what you want in our library space. 

Thanks to those of you who attended!

• Tuesday, January 10, 12-1pm
  
• Wednesday, November 30, 12-1pm
• Wednesday, November 9, 12-1pm
• Wednesday, October 26, 12-1pm
  
• Wednesday, October 19, 12-1pm
• Tuesday, Sept. 27, 12-1pm
• Wednesday, Sept. 21, 4:30-5:30pm
  
• Thursday, Sept. 8, 12-1pm
• Tuesday, Aug. 2, 12-1pm
• Thursday, July 21, 4:30-5:30pm
• Wednesday, July 13, 12-1pm
• Wednesday, July 6, 12-1pm
• Thursday, April 21, 4:30-5:30pm

Here are some changes we've made in the past year:

• Created new study rooms from areas previously used for storage and offices.
• Bought new furniture, particularly new tables and chairs for the first floor.
• Increased the number of computers.
• Consolidated the print journals on the 3rd floor, moved the books to the 2nd floor, and opened up the 1st floor for more study space.
• Created a seating area on the first floor with newspapers and UF-authored books.

For more images of the library, see our Facebook Photo Albums.

Which of our chairs do you like best?

    #1 

    #2 

    #3 

    #4 

What's your favorite floor to study on?

In the fall of 2010, we sent out a survey to all HSC students, faculty, and staff, asking about what your ideal library would look like.  Thanks to the 320 people who responded!  Our results are summarized in the poster below.

APRIL 16, 2013

Welcome to our new first floor!  Thanks to those of you who made it to the grand opening today and to everyone for your patience.

MARCH 27, 2013

The construction portion of the renovation is pretty much done!  We've got beautiful new floors, lighting, wood paneling, and paint on both sides of the first floor.  Now we're just waiting for the new furniture to be put together.  Thanks so much for your patience throughout the project!

JANUARY 15, 2013

As of the beginning of the semester, phase 2 of the renovation is complete!  This means that the north side of the first floor has re-opened, with new floors, lighting, paint, and lots more power outlets.  Now our excellent construction crew is working on the south side of the first floor, adding similar infrastructure.  New furniture (including large collaboration stations, booths, and lounge furniture) will arrive at the end of the project, in time for our grand opening in April!  Thanks for your continued patience with the renovation process, and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns (renovationquestions@health.ufl.edu).

NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Wondering what those red things in the floor are?

If you've been studying on the first floor, you've probably seen these on the floor.  This is where our new electrical outlets will be when renovation is finished - 32 new locations when all's said and done! 

In other news, the renovation is still on schedule!  We're expecting to reopen a (mostly) finished north side of the first floor at the beginning of January and close the south side for construction.

OCTOBER 30, 2012

And now we have furniture back in half of the first floor!  It may not be pretty, but we're trying to provide you with as much space as possible during the renovation.

OCTOBER 29, 2012

We're back (partially)!  The first floor's south side is now open - we'll have furniture back in by the end of today.  And now that asbestos abatement is done, the real renovation will be starting on the north side.

OCTOBER 22, 2012

We're still on schedule to have the asbestos abatement finished by next Monday and furniture moved back into half of the first floor by Tuesday!  The space that's open will look unfinished, with exposed floors and ceilings, but it will still be functional. 

More good news:  Starting tomorrow the second floor doors to the library will be open until 9pm Monday-Thursday and until 7pm on Fridays.

OCTOBER 18, 2012

A number of our Research Commons computers have moved up to the third floor (although some are still beneath the stairs on the first floor).  These computers have specialized software to help you out with statistical and design tasks:

• SPSS (only available on PC, not iMac)
• SAS (only available on PC, not iMac)
  
• Acrobat Professional
• Photoshop
• Flash Professional
• Dreamweaver
• Illustrator
• Fireworks
• Soundbooth
  
• Contribute
  

And be sure to check out the next tab for photos taken during renovation!

OCTOBER 17, 2012

We've officially started renovation!  Keep in mind that this first phase of renovation (with almost the entire first floor closed down) only lasts for two weeks - after that we'll have 1/2 of the first floor open at a time.  In the mean time, here are a few other things that have been moved off of the first floor that you might be looking for:

• Newspaper rack - now on the third floor, just outside the stairwell
  
• New books/UF authors - now on the second floor, just outside the stairwell
  
• Color copier - now on the second floor
  
• 3 Collaboration Stations have been moved to the second floor
  

We also have one more way for you to let us know about questions and concerns, a dedicated email address:  renovationquestions@health.ufl.edu.  This automatically routes to our renovation team:

• Cecilia Botero, HSCL Director
  
• Verne Burch, Head of Access Services Department
  
• Cliff Richmond, Head of Systems Information
  
• Hannah Norton, Reference & Liaison Librarian
  
• Nina Stoyan-Rosenzweig, HSC Archivist
  

OCTOBER 10, 2012

This Friday, we'll be moving the rest of the furniture out of the first floor in preparation for the first phase of renovation.  Additional study spaces are available on the second and third floors:

• Additional Collaboration stations on the second floor
  
• Computer Lab (Room C2-3)
  
• Blue Room (Room C2-18)
  
• Classrooms C2-42, C2-43, C2-44 (available after 5pm and on weekends)
  
• Open group study study in room C3-72
  

You can find exactly where these rooms are using the Communicore Room Locator.  For more information, take a look at which portions of the library will be open in different phases of construction on the next tab.  Please let us know if you have problems or concerns - you can add a comment to this guide or talk to a staff member at the Information Desk.

OCTOBER 4, 2012

We're getting ready for the start of renovation!  In one short week, the first floor will be emptied of furniture, and on October 15th, our first phase of construction will begin. We want to hear from you throughout the renovation - if you have problems or concerns, please let us know! 

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

The HSC Library has been planning for renovation of our first floor for some time.  Thanks to the input of many HSC students, faculty, and staff and the support of Dr. David S. Guzick, SVPHA, we have finalized a design that emphasizes increased access to technology and power, improved lighting, varied seating, and a more inviting and comfortable atmosphere. 

We are now ready to move forward with construction, which is tentatively scheduled to begin on October 15^th. 

• During the first 2-3 weeks of renovation, the study areas on the first floor of the library will be closed to the public for asbestos abatement.  Throughout this time, the Information Desk will remain open on the first floor, additional seating will be available on the third floor, and some large-screen computers will be moved to third floor group study rooms. 
• Throughout the remainder of the renovation (approximately 4-5 months), one half of the first floor will be open at a time – we want to offer as much seating and computer access as possible during this time, but there will likely be significant construction noise in this part of the library.

We understand that having part of the library closed and another part of the library noisier than usual is an inconvenience for those of you who frequently use our space; please feel free to bring your concerns and questions to library staff throughout this process and we will try to accommodate you in whatever ways we can.

Despite the hassle of the renovation process, we’re looking forward to what our new first floor will offer once renovation is complete:  a modern and comfortable space that serves your needs for collaboration, technology access, and study.