Category Archives: Library Facility Updates

Special Collections Reopens in Hodges Library August 3

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speccollecreopensThe UT Libraries’ Special Collections have relocated to the Hodges Library and will reopen on Monday, August 3. Special Collections will be open to the campus community and the general public in Room 121, John C. Hodges Main Library, 1015 Volunteer Blvd., 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Special Collections — the UT Libraries’ collections of rare books, manuscripts and other unique research materials — were previously located in the aging James D. Hoskins Library on Cumberland Avenue.

It has taken almost three months to move thousands of rare books to the newly renovated space in Room 121 of Hodges Library. The new location in the John C. Hodges Main Library offers a great opportunity for new users to acquaint themselves with the unique primary research materials available in Special Collections.

Special Collections is also the access point for the University Archives — the university’s publications, official records, and materials that document the history and culture of the University of Tennessee. Manuscript collections and University Archives materials are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval. Political papers formerly housed in Special Collections have been transferred to the Howard Baker Center for Public Policy, 1640 Cumberland Avenue.

For more information about Special Collections, phone 974-4480 or visit 121 Hodges Library.

Map Services Reopen in Hodges Library

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map0247.jpgA newly configured Map Services area opens in the John C. Hodges Library on Wednesday, January 9. The ground floor space, which was used as a computer lab prior to the expansion of the Commons on the 2nd floor of Hodges, now houses a diverse collection of books, atlases, globes, digital resources, geographic software, and over 300,000 sheet maps.

We invite you to visit the Hodges Map Services area and take advantage of the varied resources that support research, teaching, and the every day need for map and geographic information. Services and resources are available onsite to the general public as well as to UT students and staff. Materials are available for checkout to UT students and staff and UT-affiliated borrowers.

Map collections and services were previously located in the basement of the James D. Hoskins Library. The core collection of topographic and geologic maps received through the federal depository program were maintained by the university geography department from the 1940s until the University Libraries assumed the collection in 1989. In addition to sheet maps and other materials, today’s Map Services features computers, Geographic Information System (GIS) software, GPS equipment, and expert staff who are available to help users access digital geospatial data.

Visit our Map Services website (www.lib.utk.edu/cic) for more information.

Map Library Is On The Move

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MapMove3.jpgThe move is on! Relocation of the Map Library began today.

MapMove2.jpgTons of maps and map cabinets are being moved from the basement of Hoskins Library to the new location on the ground floor of Hodges Library.

The Map Library will reopen in January. In the meantime, please direct your geographic questions to any of our reference desks. Materials charged out from the Map Library may be returned to the circulation desk at Hodges Library.

Thanks for your patience. We are excited to have these geographic materials and the expertise of our Map Library staff closer to the heart of campus.

Construction in The Commons: Where are the services I need?

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Construction continues in The Commons, but all the services that students need are still available. Please pardon our dust as we work hard to bring you a brand-new Commons!

Where can I find …

Password Resets and Wireless Assistance
The OIT HelpDesk and Computer Support will be in The Commons South, room 235, and the Practice Presentation Room starting Saturday, August 18.

Loaner Laptops and Computer Workstations
Loaner laptops and computers are available in the Media Center, which will be open 24-hours starting Wednesday, August 22. Computers are also available on the first floor of Hodges in the Reference and Periodicals, Documents and Microforms rooms, and in the Hodges ground floor computer lab.

General Information
The Information and Referral desk will be open outside The Commons beginning Monday, August 20.

Hodges Library Renovations Continue on Target

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commonsjuly.jpg
Renovations of the Commons in Hodges Library are well underway and construction is moving along on schedule. Walls have been knocked down, and the ceiling is being prepared for the new lights that will be installed. Painting has also begun and new furnishings are on order. A display board outside the Commons shows the plans for the room and includes colors and fabric swatches. The Commons will reopen during Welcome Week.

The Summer Commons is open in the Hodges Library Media Center throughout the construction process. For more information about the Summer Commons and its services, or to see photographs of the ongoing Commons construction, please visit commons.utk.edu. If you have any questions about the Commons renovations, please contact Rita Smith at rsmith19@utk.edu or Jill Keally at jkeally@utk.edu.

Construction plans for Commons shuffles services

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commons-logo-big.gifThe Commons will undergo major renovations this summer, and its many services will relocate until the project is finished. (Check out our podcast.)

“While the construction will cause services to move for the short term, I think the long term results will be more beneficial to everyone who uses the Commons,” Barbara Dewey, Dean of Libraries, said.

At midnight on May 8, the Commons, rooms 220 and 235 in Hodges Library, will close. The Summer Commons will reopen on May 14 at 7:30 a.m. in the Media Center of Hodges.

The Summer Commons will have computer workstations and printers, photocopiers, and laptop and equipment checkout. The DART machine will also be located in the Summer Commons.

Computers will also be available in the Reference and Documents, Microforms and Periodicals room on the first floor of Hodges Library.

Before the Summer Commons opens, May 9-13, loaner laptops will be available for checkout at the Melrose circulation desk.

The Summer Commons will be open from 7:30a.m. through midnight Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-midnight on Saturday and noon to midnight on Sunday. For more information about hours, please visit www.lib.utk.edu/hours.

The practice presentation room will be relocated to room 251, just outside the Media Center.

Reference services will be located in the Reference Room on the first floor of Hodges. The Stat Lab will also provide office hours in the Reference Room. The Writing Center will only offer hours in room 212 of HSS during the summer, but will resume Commons hours in the fall semester.

OIT Help Desk services, including password resets, and student computer repair, will move to rooms 103 and 104 in Aconda Court during the construction. Call 974-9900. Their summer hours will be 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

For more information about the Commons, please visit commons.utk.edu.

Take a (new) seat!

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Hodges Library features Commons, Media Center updates

chair.jpgThe Commons and Media Center in Hodges Library have some new changes to kick off the New Year.
In the Commons, there are 18 new desktop computers as well as new chairs, desks and lighting. In Commons 220, new artwork is on the walls, thanks to a contribution from the Chancellor’s Office.
Also new in the Commons is a new SMART Sympodium for the Practice Presentation Room, an interactive SMART board for the Martha L. King group study room, and a mobile codec videoconferencing system that can be used in either room.
For more information on the Commons, visit commons.utk.edu
The Media Center has also made changes, providing table-seating near its entrance. The area is designed for hands-on use of Media Center equipment.
Many more changes are in store for the Commons and the Libraries! Stay tuned for more information.

Pardon us. April is moving time at Hodges Library.

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moving.jpgHodges Library staff will be hard at work this month moving microfilm collections in Periodicals room 220, Documents and Microforms room 120, and on the 6th floor. These collections are moving to prepare for an expansion of the Commons.

More moving and some construction will be underway in Hodges this summer to prepare for the larger Commons facilities, which are set to open during the Fall 2006 semester.

Please excuse our mess as we work to bring you a better library.