Sterling scaffolding to remain past graduation

By Jennifer Supernaw

Yalies have grown accustomed to the eyesore of the scaffolding surrounding Sterling Memorial Library. Over a year after renovations began, library officials said substantial time is still required before the facility can become fully operational.

Despite the inconvenience associated with the $35 million renovations, University Librarian Scott Bennett said the repair work is needed. "The work on the bookstack project is very impressive in terms of its extent and its quality and sheer workmanship," he said.

According to Bennett, "We are creating for the first time the proper conditions necessary for the preservation of Yale's collections." For decades, opening windows was the only way to control heat
in the stacks, which eventually damages the books.

Other improvements include replacement of the library's five unpopular, old-fashioned elevators. "This thrills our staff, who have been fighting with terribly awkward elevator doors that never worked well," Bennet said. Yoo Min Choi, BR '00, agreed. "Now that we have new elevators, bringing carts down is a joy instead of a fear," she said.

Despite support for renovating the 1920s-era building, inconveniences to staff and students are taking their toll. "Library workers are moving books as they move along...so you never know what's there," library employee Emilie Hitch, PC '00, said.

Even though renovations distract students wishing to study in Sterling's reading rooms, Bennett said the only projects that have been completed thus far are the restoration of the Yale Memorabilia Room and the Cole Reference Center.

Students will have to put up with inconveniences for some time, and the scaffolding will be around for parents to see at graduation. According to Arch Currie, director of project management in the office of facilities, "Parts of the scaffolding will come down between now and commencement, but the majority that surrounds the central stack tower needs to stay up until all the new windows are installed."

Bennett said he expects the entire project to be completed in December, 1997. He called the extensive improvements to SML, the nation's third largest library, "an unlikely thing to do and succeed in doing." Back to News...