Linderman renovation underway

Since the day final exams ended in May 2005 Linderman Library has seen a lot of changes: about 250,000 books moved out to various locations, lots of interior demolition, and scaffolding has enclosed much of the building.

Books on the move

Last May, after exams ended, all books were moved out of Linderman safely and on schedule. Many are shelved in the new second level of the Library Materials Center in Building J on Mountaintop campus.

Another large quantity is shelved in buildings owned by Lafayette College that were used recently for its books during the Skillman Library renovation. Boxes of lesser used books, such as the backup print copies of electronic journals, are in a local warehouse. User space at the Library Materials Center allows for onsite use by faculty and graduate students of the 700 and 800 Dewey Decimal range books during the weekday with advance arrangement.

Users can request Linderman books, with 24 hour week day delivery, from storage locations at www.lehigh.edu/library/lindretrieve.html. 

Exterior projects

Evidence of active renovation was obvious even from the outside of Linderman Library during the summer. Scaffolding enclosed much of the building for re-pointing of the masonry walls where needed and for general repairs to make sure the building is water tight.

In close coordination with other campus construction, new underground electrical power and steam utilities were trenched to Linderman. Around mid-October construction will begin on a new separate utility building and a new loading dock on the northeast corner of Linderman.

Interior projects

Inside demolition continues and a start has been made on reconstruction. The “box” surrounding the defunct airshaft and part of the 1920s ceiling were removed to allow for a better view of the skylight and access to new study rooms and a new corridor on the 3rd floor.

The large ramps for book carts were eliminated and will be replaced with small lifts. The rotunda basement floor has been lowered to eliminate some level changes that make the space difficult for persons with disabilities.

After the first of the year, the east stair tower and 75-year old elevator will be removed and replaced with a new elevator and a new east stair tower that is part of the building “core”.

For continuing updates and photos visit www.lehigh.edu/lts/linderman. 

--Susan A. Cady
  LTS Director for Administrative and Planning Services

Article posted September 2005
 

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