Under the auspices of fire safety, the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library has been selected by the Asbestos Protocol program at the University of Utah for removal of asbestos containing materials. The ceiling tiles on all three levels of the library are slated for removal later this Fall 2009. In addition to the removal and replacement of the ceiling and updating the fire sprinkler system, upgrades to the electrical, lighting and networking systems will also be performed.

The six to eight month project will be expedited in phases and will require the library building be closed to the public for most of the project. Library services and staff will continue to be available. Library staff will re-locate to space within the Health Sciences Center such as the Health Sciences Education Building and the School of Medicine. Phone, online and virtual services will continue uninterrupted. The physical collections of journals, books and documents will be available through a delivery service. Library staff will retrieve journals and books for users.

Timeline:

• September – November, 2009:
  • Print collections moved to lower level.
  • Education Research Services moved to HSEB 5100D
  • Outreach Services moved to MREB 214
  • Video-Web Services moved to HSEB 5100D
• November  2009:
  • Lower level closed to public access.
  • Deliveries rerouted to HSEB (Health Sciences Education Building)
  • Abatement and construction begins on lower level.
• December 2009:
  • Interlibrary Loan moved to HSEB 1007.
  • Administration move to AC-140, SOM.
  • Public Services move to HSEB 2080.
• December 18, 2009:
  • Library closes.
• July 1, 2010:
  • Library re-opens.