Will Sterling Memorial Library [SML] be open later next year while Cross Campus Library [CCL] is closed?
The plan is for SML to mirror CCL's hours throughout the renovation period.

What will happen to all the art posters that are currently hanging in CCL?
The posters will be removed and stored during the construction period. Prior to the re-opening of CCL, our architects will review the posters and decide if any of them will be rehung.

What will happen to the hand-carved built in wood desk and paneling of the cloak room now that that area [in the SML nave] is going to become a stairway?
Currently, there are no plans in this renovation project to reuse the wood counter and hand-carved paneling. But once these pieces of architectural detail are removed, we will find a safe place to store them for a future renovation project.

How will water leaks be prevented in the renovated CCL?
A new state-of-the-art waterproof roofing system will be installed. Also, the existing courtyards in CCL will be refurbished with new waterproofing.

Will the incline in the underground tunnel connecting CCL with the SML basement be improved?
No. The tunnel runs underneath High Street, and work affecting this City of New Haven property is not a part of the scope of the project.

The circular stairwell being proposed seems to disconnect rather than connect CCL with SML, and given that there will be no reference services in CCL, it appears that it will be more difficult for readers to be directed to the services offered by CCL.
While it is too early in the project to start discussing possible information/directional solutions (signage, electronic kiosks, etc.), there should be adequate reference services from SML nave to direct readers down to CCL, and the staff in CCL can also provide directional assistance.

Will the restrooms proposed for the SML basement remain the same size and have the same number of stalls?
The stalls in the women’s restroom will be larger.

Will the Machine City eating area be completely eliminated?
Yes. The proposed study lounge/cafe area in CCL will have some type of food service. The Spoon will continue to be the central eating area for library staff in SML/CCL. This will help to enforce the new food & drink policy.

Will collections in the Linonia & Brothers Reading Room be available during the time when the CCL, ILL/Document Delivery, and Borrow Direct staffs inhabit the room?
Yes, they will be available via paging requests from the SML circulation desk. Hopefully paged access to these materials will only last during the first four months of construction, when the collection is not used as heavily as during the rest of the year.

Where will the Library Shelving Facility [LSF] staff be located during the summer of 2006?
They will likely be located at the LSF facility in Hamden.

Will the layout of the electronic classroom workstations be re-configurable?
Yes. The element of flexibility with the classroom furniture is a key part of the program (to allow for the possibility of break-out sessions as well).

How will library staff be informed where the day-to-day construction activities will take place so that exposure to dust and other air quality issues can be mitigated?
Danuta Nitecki addressed the communication part of the question: Building on successful experiences from Phase 1 construction, we expect to hold weekly meetings with the construction, facilities, and project managers on the progression of the construction work. This information will then be transmitted via This Old Library updates sent through the YU-LIBL list and made available through the Phase 2a Renovation web site. Staff will also be informed via periodic all-staff presentations. Danuta plans to also meet regularly with the staffs directly affected by Phase 2a construction. Various other members of the Yale University community (such as the Masters in the surrounding colleges and the coordinators of summer programs at Yale) will also be kept apprised of the plans and progress of construction. Every possible effort will be made to minimize the disruption during construction that will occur. Danuta, John Vincenti, and Rob Daigle will be the primary points of contact for information about the project within the Library.

Rob Klein from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at Yale University then addressed the air quality issues during the Phase 2a construction period:
The Office of Environmental Health & Safety will meet regularly with the Phase 2a project team planners to ensure effective environmental control during construction. Some initial baseline measures for air quality have been taken and indicate a clean SML/CCL environment. Air quality testing during high impact times will also occur and results will be shared.

During the period of construction, will SML keep CCL’s extended open hours for study?
While the details of the service plan during the construction period have not yet been finalized, it is likely that some portion of SML will be open during the same hours scheduled now for CCL.

What will happen to the grassy area in Cross Campus?
The grass and soil will be removed during the construction period so that the new CCL roof can be installed. The grassy area within the construction zone will be off limits for the 15-month construction period.

Will a snowmelt system be installed on the sidewalks in Cross Campus?
The sidewalks are outside of the scope of the Phase 2a project; a snowmelt system is being proposed for the stairwells and the courtyards of CCL.

Will the public be able to look at the on-going construction?
There will be jersey barriers and fences for safety to keep people out of the construction areas. We will likely post photographs of progress periodically on the Phase 2a Renovation web site.

What will happen to the path that begins from the Noah Porter Gates (along Elm St between Berkeley and Calhoun Colleges) to the Beinecke Plaza?
After construction, the path directly affected by Phase 2a construction will be restored. The new entrance to the CCL will be along this much-traveled path.