Visit our Libraries - Young, Hillyer & Josten. Request books online - delivery is fast! Learn more
Visit Smith.edu
Popular Searches:
Call 413-585-2910
libraryhelp@smith.edu
Monday to Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Filter by Topic
Filter by Year
Dean of Libraries Susan Fliss shares details about the new Neilson Library. From a Learning Commons for integrated support from learning specialists, to moveable stacks, to an entire wing dedicated to Special Collections, the new library is designed to meet educational needs today—and in the future.
On Friday, June 14, there will be extra truck traffic through John M. Greene Gate as the contractor pours the level 2 concrete deck at Neilson.
Also, due to scheduling issues, the demolition of the Wright Hall back stair out to the terrace will not begin until Tuesday, June 18. There will be electricians in Wright Hall Thursday, June 13, to rework the exit signs for the revised emergency egress out of Wright. For those using Wright Hall as a route around the construction site, you will need to use the back entry near the Lanning Fountain as the terrace doors will be closed off. Read more...
There will be excessive noise and nuisance vibration on the south side of Wright Hall beginning Monday, June 17 and lasting two to three days. Disruption for occupants can be expect for those in close proximity to the back doors of Wright leading to the terrace. It should not impact occupants in other buildings. The team is aware of a lecture in Weinstein Auditorium on June 19 and will avoid work during the event. If other events are planned, please let us know. Read more...
Due to scheduling delays, work in Dickinson Parking Lot scheduled for last week will begin Monday, June 3. The contractor will be installing drain lines and catch basin structures in Dickinson Parking Lot. We do not expect significant impacts on vehicle and pedestrian access through the lot, but there may be momentary disruption to traffic flow. Work will begin on Monday and be completed by Thursday. A graphic is attached showing where construction vehicles will be working.
Also, Wright Hall occupants should be aware that we are a couple weeks away from demolishing the entire exterior rear terrace at Wright Hall. The doorway out of Wright Hall level G towards Burton Lawn will be closed indefinitely. Plans for that change are being studied, but will not require additional work in Wright Hall. Further information will be posted in the neat future.
Thanks to all who left their mark on the New Neilson Library. Do you see yourself in this video?
Watch on Youtube: Neilson Library Renovation Beam Signing Event Timelapse
Weather permitting, there will be about forty trucks delivering concrete through Dickinson Parking Lot on Tuesday, May 14. The contractor will be pouring the entire first floor concrete deck at the library. Please be safe around the construction entrance due to the extra traffic. The contractor will have an attendant at the Dickinson construction gate.
Also, apologies for those who wanted to, but did not have the opportunity to sign the beam going up on Neilson. Scheduling issues with the crane were behind the early removal and it is hoped another opportunity can be provided.
Traditionally when the last structural member is placed atop a new building, there is a "Topping Out" or sometimes called "Topping Off" ceremony that involves the community coming together to celebrate the completion of the structure.
In the case of Neilson Library it will be a piece of steel placed at the pinnacle of the roof structure. Since this will happen mid summer and many in the Smith Community will be elsewhere, the project team is placing a steel girder along Neilson Drive with markers for those who would like to sign the girder before departing for the summer. The steel will be located just off of Neilson Drive on Tuesday morning, May 7 and remain there until it is hoisted and placed on the building around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8. There will be markers for your use.
To one and all, please stop over to sign the beam and help Smith commemorate progress on the new Neilson Library!
There will be steel deliveries in the early morning through Dickinson lot on Wednesday and Friday of this week. There will be another concrete pour on Friday morning with the pumper truck located outside Hatfield Hall. The cement trucks will approach the pumper through Dickinson Lot and not through the Hatfield construction gate.
On Thursday and Friday, March 7-8, the contractor will be bringing in two construction cranes via Green Street and the Dickinson Parking Lot site entrance. The larger of the two cranes will be in sections on flatbed trucks and will be assembled on site by the smaller of the two cranes in preparation for installing steel columns and beams beginning on Monday of next week.
All steel deliveries over the next few months will be coming onto the site via the Dickinson Lot entrance. The cranes will be situated on the west side of the library as noted on the attached image. I will follow up with more information about the status of the project later in the week. Read more...
Steady progress has been made on the Neilson project over the winter recess. Favorable weather throughout most of December and early January has provided the opportunity to make up on some of the time lost due to the extraordinarily wet fall. Since the last update on December 14, 2018, the contractor has completed several of the large concrete mat slab pours in the core 1909 building and they are very close to having a contiguous lower level mat slab from the north addition to the south addition. With the final pours over the next month, they'll be ready to start accepting the structural steel at the site and mobilize the crane to begin erecting the structural steel. Steel erection will start in a big way around the end of March.
Read more...
