Hesburgh Library, Notre Dame’s iconic main library, will undergo a large-scale interior renovation. This is a multi-phase project that will take several years to complete as funding is secured. Phase One is the Entrance Gallery and Tower Floor Ten. More information on phases and project timelines is available on the project website renovation.library.nd.edu.
The various phases of renovation will amount to several years of construction; however, Phase One should take about one year. Phase One renovation will commence immediately following finals in December 2014, and is projected to be complete by January of 2016.
Most of the Library’s spaces, collections and services will be accessible throughout construction. The only areas that will be off-limits will be the areas under construction. Signage will be posted, and updated, around the building. See the current timeline for construction boundaries. Ren-Alerts , Construction Maps and News are prominent website features that have current information to help patrons navigate access to resources and spaces during renovation.
The project may be noisy and dusty at times, but the aim is to schedule the most disruptive construction activities during times when the library is less occupied. We will communicate anticipated occurrences as far in advance as possible to minimize disruption for our users. Signs will help you find your way around and renovation alerts (Ren-Alerts , Construction Maps and News) will be posted to the renovation website and to the library’s website, so that you can plan accordingly.
The tower floors may be a bit quieter than the first or second floors. If you're looking for alternate study spaces, there are several branch libraries around campus available to you. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience, but this is an undertaking that will benefit library users when complete.
The books and other materials that were on the 10th floor remain accessible in the library’s Lower Level and available for checkout during the renovation.
In its 50-year existence, Hesburgh Library has had some limited space renewal, but full renovations and upgrades to infrastructure have only taken place in the Lower Level and the 14th Floor. The environment is both functionally and aesthetically deficient to serve the 21st century needs of our students and faculty. Some of the issues the renovation will address include:
The 20th century building and features were visionary for their time and have served us well for many years. This comprehensive building renovation ensures that the Hesburgh Library will continue to fulfill its mission in the 21st century and meet the ever-changing research needs of the campus community in a digital age.
The Entrance Gallery provides open vertical connections between the expansive first and second floors. It will be defined with new, sky-lit Lanterns that provide views to activities on the second floor and a strong central orientation point for library services. The new Lanterns will highlight important library services, and comfortable social gathering and activity spaces closer to the building’s center. The transformational design also provides new connections to campus. A new north entrance will provide access from residence halls and the new research building as campus development grows to the north and east of Hesburgh Library. Views across campus to the stadium, and an overlook with sightlines from the concourse and main south entrance below, will be provided through new interior windows at the south end of the second floor.
On the 10th Floor, the collection will be relocated away from windows to provide natural light from existing windows into the open user areas. Improved spaces for quiet, contemplative study will be built. These areas are a subject-themed reference reading room and a graduate student enclave, which houses individual, assigned carrels. The tower floors will become destinations…and help to build communities of scholars around broad humanities and arts disciplines.
For questions regarding renovation, email jkayongo@nd.edu.
