Provost Lavernia recently approved the construction of a Student Excellence Center on part of the 5th floor of the Science Library, along with substantial renovations to other parts of the 5th floor and the 2nd floor Grand Reading Room. These renovations will contribute toward Pillar 2 (First in Class) of UCI’s Strategic Plan by:
- Centralizing key undergraduate services in one location in close partnership with library services. Units located in this space will include the Campuswide Honors Collegium, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, and Scholarship Opportunities Program;
- Expanding the number of seats for student study, and modernizing Science Library spaces to provide more open study seating, group study rooms, flexible library instruction labs, and enhanced electrical and data coverage for student laptops and other portable devices.
These renovations will create fresh, exciting and productive study options for students and the new spaces and service locations will be beneficial to student recruitment, retention, and academic success. Highlights of the new library spaces include:
- Visualization wall
- Bikestations and Walkstations
- Collaboration pods and study rooms
- Movable furniture
- Updated dedicated exhibit area
The current phase of the project involves moving low-use library items off-site to the Regional Library Facility and deaccessioning items that are no longer needed. Items at the Regional Library facility are retrievable for UCI users via Interlibrary Loan within two to three business days. Relocated and deaccessioned items were low or no-use items selected through a broad consultation process with extensive opportunities for input from faculty and students.
Other phases include moving the microform collection to Langson Library (nearly completed) and undertaking a major collection shift at the Science Library to better utilize the shelving space (a much longer term project that involves interfiling books and journals into one consistent call number sequence making it easier for users to find items on the shelves and to browse subject areas).
There may be periods of noise and dust during this work. We will post signage in the affected areas as we make our way through this multi-year project.
If you are unable to find something on the shelf, please submit an Interlibrary Loan request stating in the Special Instructions that you could not find the book on the shelf or visit one of the Check Out Desks for further assistance.
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For questions and comments, contact Kevin Ruminson (ruminson@uci.edu), Associate University Librarian for Administrative Services.