Summer 2018 Renovation Updates

Welcome to the Learning Commons blog! We are writing from George T. Potter Library to share updates as the project progresses. In Summer 2018, we prepared for the library’s move to Linden Hall by moving a percentage of our print book collection to off-campus storage for the duration of the project. We worked with a company called National Library Relocations, Inc., based in New York, to pack and store our books. About 25% of our print collection remains on campus, but these books were chosen carefully to fulfill course requirements. We kept books with high circulation statistics and books requested by our faculty.

Books are packed and prepared for moving and storage.

Books remaining on campus are consolidated and will remain on their original floors.

Interlibrary Loan and Electronic Resource Access

We have just implemented a new Interlibrary Loan system, Tipasa, that will help us to borrow books from other libraries during the renovation. Tipasa will allow users to log in to their accounts to see and manage book and article requests. By the start of the Fall 2018 semester, you will see changes in the library’s catalog that indicate whether an item is on campus or in off-site storage. If a needed item is in storage, the next step is to submit an Interlibrary Loan request.

We have also recently increased our access to electronic resources and have switched many of our print materials to electronic versions. Our databases, e-books, and electronic journals will all remain accessible on our website at all times of day and can be used from off-campus using your Ramapo College login information. Librarians are always available to help with your research. 

Linden Hall Renovations and Temporary Library

While the print collection was moved, the Linden Hall renovation project progressed. We met multiple times with our architects to plan our space in Linden Hall, and we are very pleased with the results. We will have two classrooms with computers, plenty of study space for students, group study rooms, a combined Circulation Desk and Research Help Desk, and a dedicated space for Special Collections (including Archives, the American History Textbook Project, and the Gross Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies). The Center for Reading & Writing will also be in Linden Hall with us. Students will be able to receive help from faculty and staff, use computers and laptops, use a printer, check out materials, and attend classes and workshops. Demolition on the interior of Linden Hall began in July 2018. To see the Linden Hall floor plans in detail, please see our Temporary Library Space page.

Demolition inside of Linden Hall began in July 2018.

Follow Along!

We will continue to update this blog as the project moves forward. Follow us on social media for more updates (@rcnjlibrary on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram), and please send any questions to learningcommons@ramapo.edu. Thank you for following along on our project progress!

Categories: Project Progress