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Hale Library Blog

Building update: Adding dimension and color

While students, staff and faculty have been adjusting to a new normal at K-State and within the community, work on Hale Library has continued at a rapid pace.

Libraries staff are ecstatic to see books back in the library. Stack A is now completely filled with books that have been cleaned, sorted and re-shelved. While the books will not be available to patrons immediately due to ongoing construction, it is still exciting to have books back in the library.

A picture of stack A completely filled with books.
Stack A is filled with books, thanks to the efforts of the Belfor team and Libraries staff!

With the third floor completely carpeted, crew members have started constructing furniture, such as study nooks behind the Friends of the K-State Libraries Instruction Room.

The inside of the Friends of the K-State Libraries Instruction Room, filled with carpet.
A glimpse inside the Friends of the K-State Libraries Instruction Room. While the room appears to be shaped like an ellipse on the outside, the inside is actually rectangular.
Study nooks have been constructed just out side of the Friends of the K-State Libraries Instruction Room.
Just outside the Friends of the K-State Libraries Instruction Room, study spaces have been installed for students to use. Libraries staff conducted assessment on the use of the first floor furniture and spaces and found that this design was popular with students. The assessment results were taken into account when deciding on furniture for the upper floors.

In the Great Room, the crew is working on painting decorative moldings and staining the bookshelves lining the room. The added color in the historic space is exciting to see. Art restoration specialists will officially start work on restoring the murals this week. We can’t wait to share pictures with you throughout the process!

The bookshelves that line the Great Room walls have been repaired and stained.
The bookshelves that line the Great Room walls have been repaired and stained. We love the beautiful finish!
A crew member works on painting the cornices in the Great Room.
A crew member works on painting the cornices in the Great Room.
A picture of the Great Room murals and bookshelves.
The John Canning company is scheduled to arrive with their equipment this week to begin the six week process of restoring the Great Room murals.
A picture of a corridor on the fourth floor of the building.
Looking toward the west end of the building, this is what a corridor on the fourth floor currently looks like.

Lastly, we wanted to share the exciting news that Joyce and Joe’s Cornerstone Cafe is officially open! The cafe, located on the first floor of Hale Library, is now offering grab n’ go options for patrons who want a snack while visiting the building. There are plans to expand to made-to-order options later in the semester.

We hope you’ll stop by for a visit and a bite to eat!

One thought on “Building update: Adding dimension and color
  1. Looks amazing!

    FYI – The top of a column or pilaster is called a capital. A cornice is the molding around the top of a room.

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