Today, August 12, Government Information on-call hours will be 12pm-2pm.

Due to staffing, Government Information will be closed from 1-2 on Friday, August 1, Monday, August 4th and Tuesday, August 5th. The Department will also close at 4 pm on Tuesday, August 5th. Thank you for your understanding.

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!

Government Information will be unavailable today from 10am to 11am.

The Physics Library, currently located temporarily in Nesmith Hall, is expected to be closed for moving at the end of July.

We expect it to be closed Monday-Friday, July 28 to August 1. Then, hopefully, it will re-open in DeMeritt Hall on August 4. This schedule is subject to change, and the Library News and library hours will be updated as necessary.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Emily Poworoznek.