Work on the east wing roof is scheduled to begin on Dec. 13.  [That doesn't mean that it will, of course.]  Regarding the main stairwell, because the vendor messed up and did not do it when we were closed over Thanksgiving as scheduled, I said that it couldn’t be done until after Dec. 23, and it is now scheduled for Dec. 24.  Which doesn’t mean that it will be done on Dec. 24, of course, but it would be good if it were done when we are not here, because the glue being used to reaffix the “nosing” [new term I learned] is quite strong and we wouldn’t want to be breathing it in.

We are closed Thursday and Friday.  Have a great holiday!

You might have noticed that the edging on the central staircase is a problem.  The rubber edging has been repaired on several occasions but still cannot be affixed properly, and bows out, becoming a tripping hazard.  The company which did the initial work informs me that it is looking into a wider edging that can adhere better than what we have now, and it will be replacing what is there now.   Meanwhile . . . watch your step!

Initial ideas are now being formulated for an extensive renovation of Wimberly library.  Funding is not assured yet but we should know by the summer if we receive the initial planning money.  Changes would include redoing the air conditioning, electrical service, bathrooms, and service elevator, along with floors and ceilings.  Much of the physical collection would be moved into compact shelving to make way for increased user space, for group study as well as general seating.  Most of the ground floor would probably become compact shelving, becuase that is the only area which can hold compact shelving right now without expensive strengthening.  I will keep everyone informed about the progress of the renovation, if it becomes a reality.

If you have not yet been to the new Engineering building, you need to do so.  Aside from being beautiful, it has amazing features such as public computers with large screens on which you can monitor energy use and temperature in any room in the building.  The new faculty-staff Club is unlike any dining venue currently on campus, and you might want to think about joining. Also, the group study rooms are the model for what we are thinking about in the renovated Wimberly Library (see other posting).

Please remember to vote on November 2!

It turns out that the large exhaust fans in the West Wing clerestories of Wimberly Library are a problem (i.e. they don’t work) and the need to fix them may delay the renovation of the clerestories.  We were looking forward to getting this work done in December but can’t do it once the new term starts, so the next window would be May 7.

Work on the elevator machine room on the roof in the East Wing (the source of at least some of the excess humidity in the East Wing of Wimberly Library) is something proceeding very slowly;  what needs to be done is still not clear.  So don’t expect a quick fix in the East Wing–great news if you are a fan of humidity and mold.

Reroofing of the East Wing is still scheduled to start in December, however.

I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that there will be free hotdogs and hamburgers there, for all you fans of free food.

It is important to note that our “cut” in library resources expenditures is not a cut, per se.  The university did not reduce our budget for library materials;  that figure ($3,041,000) remains as it has been (except for money being added this year targeted for medical resources).  What we are doing, however, is voluntarily reducing our subscriptions to databases and other purchases, to respond to cost increases which have occurred over the last few years, because our budget for library materials has not increased, so that the amount of money we have continues to be sufficient to cover our costs for what remains.  This difference between a “cut” and a steady-state budget which we are living within through voluntary reduction of our commitments is a subtle distinction, but an important one.  Don’t let anyone tell you that our budget has been cut;  it hasn’t been!!

For most of you, the two major highlights of your week are undoubtedly reading the minutes of my weekly staff meeting, and reading my blog.  [Am I right, or am I right?]  This week, there was no staff meeting, because I was attending training this morning for my role as co-chair of the university’s United Way campaign for this year.  You will be hearing more about that in November.  So this week, you will have to content yourself with only blog postings.