Sojourner Truth Library main level set for spring ’16 semester reopening

A project to renovate the Sojourner Truth Library (STL) at SUNY New Paltz, underway since early planning began in 2009, is nearing completion and will be celebrated with a number of events to mark the reopening in the spring ’16 semester.

The STL, which since fall 2014 has been reorganized to serve students, faculty and staff using just two of its three levels of floor space, will be reopening the main floor to the community in January 2016.

“The project is coming together very rapidly now, and the effect is amazing,” said STL Dean Mark Colvson. “Thanks to everyone – students, faculty and staff – for your patience and good humor during this extended project. I’ve been amazed again and again at how students and faculty have given us encouragement, support and understanding.”

Numerous upgrades have been made to the structure, design, organization and equipping of the Library’s main floor. New roofing and windows have been installed, the latter expanding views of the Shawangunk Ridge and increasing the flow of natural light through the area.

The general layout of the main floor has been opened up thanks in part to the removal and repositioning of some walls and large shelving units. The prior installation of compact electronic shelving on the lower floors has allowed books and other resources to be stored with less use of space. This made it possible to increase the number of individual work stations, outfitted with PCs and ports for laptops, on the main floor.

Group study and conference rooms have been upgraded with new technologies, including wall-mounted retina display screens, and additional group rooms have been added to make it easier for students and faculty to reserve the space they need to work. A new “DASH Lab” space will offer high-end technology for interdisciplinary exploration of digital scholarship, instruction and creativity.

These new upgrades will be implemented without an interruption of the Library services New Paltz students and faculty have grown accustomed to. The all-night study room will continue to be available for use by the College’s night owls, and the relocation of the help desk to combine with the circulation desk will make it easy for community members to request library staff assistance to meet all of their needs.

Of course, no library would be complete without a local source of caffeine. The reopening of the STL main level will also bring a new Peet’s Coffee & Tea shop to the entrance area.

More information about the Sojourner Truth Library and construction on the SUNY New Paltz campus can be found online.