August 12, 2008

The new Physics Library is now open in DeMeritt Hall.

DeMeritt Hall is home to the Physics Department and the David G. Clark Memorial Physics Library. The Library is in the corner of DeMeritt Hall closest to Dimond Library, as it was before. It houses the University’s main collections on physics and astronomy, and the library staff provide assistance with a large number of related online resources.

The new space is a beautifully-designed small library for traditional purposes, with new features like wireless access and laptops, plus collaborative space for group work and meetings. The overall footprint of the library is slightly larger than before. The color scheme throughout the library, and all of DeMeritt Hall, is very gentle and natural, with lots of wood and shades of greens, golds, and tans. The Library is light and bright, with windows on three sides. The interior wall is made of glass panels covered with wild white spirals representing the paths of particle vapor emissions in a bubble chamber. Glass shelves and cases along the wall will display unusual physics and astronomy items, new books, and current journal issues.

Come visit, now or later. You’ll find the Physics Library right inside the back door of DeMeritt on Library Way.

July 18, 2008

The new Physics Library is anticipated to open August 4. It will be closed July 28 to August 1 for the move to the newly renovated DeMeritt Hall.

The new Physics Library will be on the corner of DeMeritt Hall closest to Dimond Library, as before. The library will have better support for traditional services, plus new features like wireless access, collaborative space, and displays. It will have three sides of windows, with one fitted with glass shelves to display antique, remarkable, and unique physics and astronomy items.

The overall footprint of the library is about the same and will still include compact shelving. The color scheme throughout the library, and all of DeMeritt Hall, is very gentle and natural, with various shades of greens and tans.

The building is a marvel of new techniques and features to make it as “green” as possible, at least as far as the budget allowed. Some of the green features include metal awnings on the sunny sides of the building. The central stairs are open and appear to float. The railings are not completely enclosed, with the stair rises vented to provide better air flow.

All rooms are equipped with window sensors so if the windows are opened, the heat or air conditioning is turned off to that room. Much classroom lighting is indirect, motion-sensor driven, and equipped with dimmers. Some of the classrooms have leveled, stadium-like seating, and each rise is set with vents for heat or air conditioning. One neat ADA feature is the central elevator. It is positioned to open on each floor on one side into the hallway or the other side directly into a classroom.

There are places where old meets new. On the second floor, a hallway leads to a gathering area balcony where the new flooring comes right up to the old. One entire wall of this balcony area is sided with old classroom chalkboards, allowing students to write as they pass by. This space overlooks a common area on the main floor where the old stone physics crest will be mounted as part of a historical display. In the basement, two walls have been fitted with old wooden and glass display cabinets and drawers which were saved before the demolition.

We look forward to seeing you in the new DeMeritt Hall after August 4!