UWSP University Library Lobby Remodel
photo taken from the second floor of the new service areas in the lobby, June, 2002

The Lobby is done!  During June 2002, the bulk of the lobby work was completed, and the new circulation and reserve areas were opened for business.  The entire staff of the University Library thanks you for your patience and cooperation during these past few months!

For more information and photos of the lobby project, see the article in the Fall 2002 Pointer Alumnus!

During the Spring Semester 2001-2002, the first and second floors of the University Library received a functional and cosmetic upgrade, designed to make your visit more efficient and enjoyable.  The  remodel included:

• Barrier-free security gates for ease of access at the West and East entrances, with attractive new glass entry doors
• A single service point for circulation, reserves, and interlibrary loan
• A grand staircase from the lobby to the second floor (just like "Titanic," only we're on solid ground!)
• Slanted ceilings and enhanced lighting to amplify the opening to the second floor, and a vaulted, barrel ceiling on the second floor to expand the illusion of height and open space in the atrium area

How did we do?  Here are some before and after perspectives:

Barrier-free security gates for ease of access at the West and East entrances, with attractive new glass entry doors:

Left, the old entrance/exit turnstiles waiting to be hauled away.  Middle, the architect's drawings of the new entrances, with the photo at right showing the new security gates and glass entry doors.

A single service point for circulation, reserves, and interlibrary loan:

At left, the old circulation desk.  The photo at right shows the new circulation desk,  where Interlibrary Loan and Reserve materials may also be checked out.

A grand staircase from the lobby to the second floor periodicals area:

  At left, the architect's drawings of the new staircase, shown completed in the photo at right.

Slanted ceilings and enhanced lighting to amplify the opening to the second floor, and a vaulted, barrel ceiling on the second floor to expand the illusion of height and open space in the atrium area:

Above left , the old lobby from the second floor.  Middle, the architect's drawings, with the photo at right showing how the "beveled ceilings" have opened the lobby to the second floor.

Above left, the old second floor.  Center, the architect's drawings, with the photo at right showing the new "barrel ceiling."

Here is a photo gallery of the construction while in progress, from the temporary circulation desk to the barrel ceiling.
Press your refresh button to start the slideshow at the beginning:

Click here for detailed floor plans showing the old and new configurations of the Lobby and First Floor.

This page was updated January 03, 2008
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