Visual History

The free-standing cabinets that have housed the library's card
catalog in the Sterling Memorial Library will be moved in preparation for using the Nave as important "swing space" for services during the Phase 2a renovation.

Cabinets housing the subject catalog cards are the first to be
removed. The cards have been archived as part of the university
records retained by the Manuscripts & Archives.

The emptied cabinets are removed by movers from the
Yale University Traffic, Receiving and Stores (TR & S).

The card catalog cabinets are transported to Yale's TR&S
where they are offered for sale. Proceeds from the sale are
used to recover costs of the move and temporary storage.

The removal of the free standing cabinets that had housed
the subject catalog cards leaves one side of the SML Nave
open and exposes some of its architrectural details.

The remaining free standing cabinets will be removed in summer
2006 after the Name-Title catalog cards are boxed and removed
to the SML basement Room 69, where researchers wishing to view them may do so. These catalog cards have not been updated since 1987; information on the Library's catalogued holdings is maintained in Orbis, the online catalog.

The first construction work began over spring break in March,
2006 to renovate Basement Room 69 in Sterling Memorial
Library. Compact shelving will be installed here to house the
boxed Name-Title catalog cards and materials from Manuscripts
& Archives. The following photos document this early construction
work.

(4-11-06) Concrete was brought into the building to pour the
floor.

Removal of the shelves begins the room's transformation.

Removal of the shelving standards opens the space even more.

Several inches of the old floor was broken up and resulting
rubble removed.

Rebar is laid to continue building the concrete floor to support
the compact shelving.

(4-28-06) The uprights for the compact shelving in Basement
Room 69 are installed and ready for shelves to be added.