HLS Braces for Renovations

Law students and researchers are bracing for the renovations beginning at Langdell Law Library, which will involve relocating the facility's entire 400,000-volume collection.

Some volumes, mostly from the library's special collections and pre-1980 monographs, have already been moved to the Harvard Depository to prepare for the renovation, according to librarian Cathleen H. Conroy.

"They're mostly older, dead collections," Conroy said.

In addition, structural improvements to the building, such as the addition of supporting columns, have already begun.

"There will be a definite presence of construction and noise," Conroy said.

The proposed renovations of Langdell include the installation of a new electrical system, an upgrade in the building's heating and cooling systems, the installation of new elevators and features intended to make the building more accessible to the physically handicapped.

Langdell will be closed from June 1996 to August 1997. Fifty thousand books and most of the library's services will be moved to the 155-seat Pound Hall reading room.

"We're relocating for a year, but we're not shutting down," Conroy said.

Conroy said 175,000 volumes in Langdell will be moved to an off-site location to be determined later. The remaining volumes will be moved to the Harvard Depository.

"Almost all of the collections should be accessible," Conroy said.

Many law school students complained that the library renovations will make research and study difficult, especially next year.

Second-year law student Adam D. Rose said he plans to get an early start on research he would normally leave until next year.

"I'm trying to get as much of my research done now, whereas I would be usually doing my research during my third year," Rose said.

Anita K. Krug, also a second-year student at the Law School, said the expects the renovations to make research difficult.

"Next year, it's going to be pretty troublesome because they'll be moving books," Krug said.

But Rose said he does not believe students will be adversely affected by the early phase of the renovation.

"Apart from the noise, I don't think it's going to be that bad this year," he said.

"The library is in desperate need of renovation," he added.

"I think it's a good idea they're doing it," he said. "It's just too bad that I'm here while they're doing it."

Philip Markowitz, also a second year law student, said the library is an important social center for students at the Law School.

"The school is very lacking in providing students with places to congregate to begin with. By closing the library, they're only going to be making it worse," Markowitz said.

Conroy said administrators are commencing efforts to make more areas of the Law School available to students interested in reading or socializing.

"We're trying to make as many areas open to students as possible," she said.

Harkness Commons is currently undergoing renovations to accommodate students looking for an alternative to the library, according to Conroy.

Krug said she plans to us other libraries on campus to study next year.

"There are so many libraries. As far as a study place goes, it shouldn't be a problem," Krug said

Philip Markowitz, also a second year law student, said the library is an important social center for students at the Law School.

"The school is very lacking in providing students with places to congregate to begin with. By closing the library, they're only going to be making it worse," Markowitz said.

Conroy said administrators are commencing efforts to make more areas of the Law School available to students interested in reading or socializing.

"We're trying to make as many areas open to students as possible," she said.

Harkness Commons is currently undergoing renovations to accommodate students looking for an alternative to the library, according to Conroy.

Krug said she plans to us other libraries on campus to study next year.

"There are so many libraries. As far as a study place goes, it shouldn't be a problem," Krug said