Visit smith.edu

Library Annex Project Update, March 31, 2023

New Neilson

A shelf i the Library Annex loaded with trays of different sizes.

Published March 31, 2023

The Smith College Libraries are working on a large re-shelving project at the Annex facility in Hatfield, MA. Re-shelving the Smith collection is the final step of the Neilson Library building project and will enable the Libraries to use the Annex space allotted to Smith for storing books and journals in the most effective way. The project is underway and is expected to be completed in September 2023.

Update: Material stored at the Annex will now be available throughout the project.

In response to faculty concerns, the materials stored at the Annex will now be available, with some delays, throughout the duration of the project. Library staff have made significant enhancements in redesigning software and working with the vendors and Five College Inc. to make this possible.

To request Annex materials:

  • Please place requests as usual through the Discover Advanced catalog.
  • Staff will pull materials at the end of each day and prioritize requests from Smith students, faculty and staff and then pull requests from other institutions.
  • Delivery of material may be delayed up to 5 days. If delays are longer, library staff will request the item from one of our Five College partners or through Interlibrary Loan.
  • This project does not affect library materials in the libraries on campus. All material on campus in Neilson, Hillyer and Josten Libraries will continue to be available.

Contact

For questions about the Annex project or other library matters, please email libraryhelp@smith.edu, visit Ask Us or contact your subject librarian.

Before Re-Shelving

A shelf in the Library Annex showing Items that need to be re-sized and re-trayed, along with trays that are not filled.

Items that need to be re-sized and re-trayed, along with trays that are not filled. This is what we’re trying to fix.

A shelf i the Library Annex loaded with trays of different sizes.

A shelf loaded with trays of different sizes. Not good!

After Re-Shelving

Shelves in the Library Annex showing re-size trays and shelves filled.

Newly re-sized trays. This is what we want to see: items in the appropriate sized tray, same sized trays on a given shelf, and shelves being filled along the length of the aisle.