This fall, the University Libraries are preparing for the highly anticipated second phase of the Mullins Library renovation project. Phase II, which will completely renew and modernize Levels 1 and 2, is set to begin shortly after the Fall 2022 semester ends. However, the campus community will see activity in these spaces now and throughout the coming months as collections and furnishings shift to prepare for the initial construction activities.
Books, materials and furniture are currently being moved out of Levels 1 and 2. A renovation updates webpage has been created to keep libraries constituents informed of where various collections can be found during the construction project. Levels 1 and 2 will remain open through final exams in December.
Levels 3 and 4 will remain open throughout the duration of the renovation with access to stairs and elevators near the west and east entries. Core library services, including the Help Desk, Interlibrary Loan, Course Reserves and Multimedia Services, will have operations relocated to Level 4 to continue serving campus during construction. The Special Collections Reading Room is currently closed and will reopen Sept. 6 in Mullins Library room 329.
“We at the University Libraries are excited to begin the next and final phase of the Mullins Library renovation bringing new and updated spaces for collections, technology, research and study to the students, faculty, staff and the U of A community,” said Jason Battles, dean of University Libraries.
Kennedy & Violich Architecture from Boston are teamed with Fayetteville’s DEMX Architecture on the project, with Con-Real serving as the general contractor. KVA has notably worked on construction and renovation projects at Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library and MIT’s Hayden Library. Con-Real served as general contractor on Phase I of the Mullins Library renovation and construction of the University Libraries high-density storage facility, known as LINX, located in the Art and Design District off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
It is anticipated that Phase II will be complete by Summer 2024. Additional status updates and design information will be shared as the project progresses.