St. Thomas Libraries Blog

As Spring semester starts and progress is affecting other parts of campus, we’ve  been getting many more questions about what’s going on with the construction project here at Keffer.

If you missed them, feel free to view my earlier posts about the start of the project and a mid-way update.  Here are answers to the questions we’ve been getting frequently:

Q: Where are all the books?

A: The Charles J. Keffer Library collections (books, journals, children’s books and curriculum materials) have been moved temporarily to the lower level of the Schoenecker Law Library.

Materials can be checked out at the circulation desk of the Law Library or requested from Keffer staff.  A paging system will be provided so that retrieval of needed materials is as convenient as possible; requested books should be delivered to the Keffer Library on the same day.

Q: What about my InterLibrary Loans and Course Reserves?

A:  Items put on hold and course reserves will remain at the current Keffer Library circulation desk. A paging system will be provided so that retrieval of needed materials is as convenient for users as possible; requested books will be delivered to the Keffer Library on the same day. This move will not affect interlibrary loan requests.

Q: Are librarians still available? 

A: Yes!  We are all available and happily helping students and faculty alike gear up for this new semester.  We are all available as usual for consultations, classroom instruction sessions, and more!  Do you have a research or reference question?  Check out the many ways available to contact a librarian here at UST Libraries.

Q: When will you be in the new space? 

A: Soon! Carpet was laid this week, and the “big move” should be taking place in the next week or so.  Library staff will be stationed at the new desk on the skyway level by Monday morning, February 6th, and we’re hoping to have at least some of the public computer stations moved and available by that date, as well.

Q: What about the computer classrooms? 

A: Computer classrooms are no longer housed in the Keffer library.  They have  been moved to academic classrooms TMH253  and TMH254  and can be reserved via the standard UST event scheduler.   If you are having trouble making a reservation or accessing a room, please contact campus security.

The last week has brought a lot of change to the Keffer Library!  As the sounds of drills and the displaced furniture can attest, construction has been moving swiftly. The new upstairs space is taking shape before our eyes –  and ahead of schedule!

Highlights this week: 

• A newly designed one-point service desk has been installed by combining parts of the former circulation and reference desks.  In the future, both circulation and reference services will be available here.
• Walls and door frames have been put into place for the future librarian offices.
• The walls for the lower level collection space have been finished.

In the next few weeks, look for many more changes (and updates!) as the upstairs areas are finished and we start  moving out of the current space and into our new home.

Thank you, as always, for continuing to bear with us throughout all of this project.  We’re happy to see so many of your faces and hope you’re having a wonderful J-term.