As published in Toledo Business Journal - January 1, 2017
The University of Toledo (UT) is continuing renovations of the Carlson Library by investing $3 million into a third phase that will see the installation of floor to ceiling glass on floors two through five, allowing more natural light into the campus’s main library.
Work began on the library in late December, and is expected to be complete in early August prior to the start of classes. The architect for this project is The Collaborative; the general trades contractor is Mosser Construction; the mechanical contractor is RMF Nooter, Inc.; and the electrical contractor is Westfield Electric.
“Phase I was actually a couple of years ago, and it was the renovations to the east side of the second floor,” said Jason Toth, associate vice president of facilities. “Then we had a delay, so phase II was completed this past summer, which was a full-scale renovation of the third and fourth floor of the library. This phase III is focusing work on the 1st and 2nd floors. When the renovations were done on the east side that western half was left, but it had been gutted and shelled and has not been developed. So, we’re developing the rest of that floor so that the entire floor will be functional. We’re also doing some renovation work, changing the flow pattern and what’s going on on the first floor. On the entire eastern façade of the building we’re removing the exterior wall and installing a glass curtain wall to introduce natural light into the facility. Currently, it’s an all-brick façade.”
Many of the current renovations were suggested by a library task force of faculty, staff, and students convened before the beginning of phase II.
“The way that the library functions with today’s students has transformed,” said Toth. “It used to be a place with a multitude of print media. Things have changed, and there’s less print media and more study space, whether that’s open study space or in smaller platforms for collaborative learning. So, it’s really just aligning the functionality of the library for today’s students and future students.”
Work is now under way on the shelled area on the west side of the second floor. According to Toth, the summer months will be focused on the glass curtain wall, the eastern elevation, and renovations on the first floor. While there may be spot closures of certain parts of the library during this time, the library will remain open throughout the process.
“Carlson Library is our main library on our main campus,” said Toth. “We have other, smaller libraries like in the law centers and some other buildings, but this is our main functional library for the institution here on the main campus. The facility was originally built in 1973 and has not had a great deal of renovation to it since it was built. We’re looking to make an investment so that it can support the academic endeavors of both the faculty and the students.”