Spring 2007 update letter

Date: January 9, 2007

To: University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College Students and Local Big Island Community

From: Linda Marie Golian-Lui, University Librarian

Re: Update 1: Renovation of the Edwin H. Mookini Library

The renovation of the third floor has begun! Over the December break the majority of the asbestos abatement was accomplished, with Friday, January 5, 2007 the final date of asbestos abatement for the third floor.

Just a friendly reminder that the scope of the renovation includes, but is not limited to:

New air handlers for entire building
Installation of two 24/7 air conditioned areas for the journals and microforms on the third floor and the Hawaiian and Special Collections on the second floor
New carpeting for the entire building
New floor tiling for the entire building
New painting throughout the entire building
24/7 dehumidifiers installed in the ceiling
Renovation of the Hawaiian Collection office space
Renovation of the Instruction office space
Installation of an updated security camera system
Asbestos abatement
Installation of compact shelving on the first floor
Installation of a self-check out book system on the second floor
Installation of additional book security system
Installation of restrooms in HITS area



Mookini Library Renovation: Update 1
Page 2 of 2

Phase I: Renovation of 3rd floor is now expected to end approximately the middle of May 2007 with the beginning of Phase II: Renovation of 2nd floor expected to begin approximately six weeks later.

Because all staff currently located on the 2nd floor will have to be relocated to the 3rd floor before the start of Phase II, the Mookini Library will have to be closed for several partial days following finals in Spring 2007. This will be the most effective and least disruptive time to accommodate the mandatory move of staff, collections, and computers from the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor. When the specific dates are established, signage and updates will be available at the Mookini Library Reference and Circulation Desks.

The safety and needs of our students and faculty remains a top priority during the planning and implementation of the renovation. Every effort is being made to continue providing services and access to library materials. We ask for your understanding and support as we move through this renovation project together so that we can have a library that will be more functional, efficient, secure, and attractive to our users.

To compensate for the lack of access to some library materials, increased intra-system borrowing (from other UH Libraries) and interlibrary borrowing (from non-UH libraries) will be provided. The Public Services librarians are knowledgeable concerning our collection, and are ready to provide patron assistance in fully utilizing the core materials of our collection, which will not be placed in storage during the renovation.

A special web page http://library.uhh.hawaii.edu/renovation.htm has been created to communicate renovation updates quickly. This page is also available from the Mookini Library home page http://library.uhh.hawaii.edu/ under the Quick Links section on the far right side.
Check the renovation web page often for current news and information about this exciting project. If you still have additional questions or concerns, please contact me at golianlu@hawaii.edu or at 974-7329.