HMS Library May Be Renovated

Over the past two years, funds have been raised for significant renovations at the Countway Library of the Harvard Medical School (HMS).

The renovations, which are still in the planning stages, have been tentatively scheduled to take place this winter.

"The building has to be brought up to code and it needs additional wiring for computer use," said Amalie Kass, chair of the library's fundraising committee since its creation.

Among the renovations planned is the addition of a knowledge laboratory for electronically transmitted medical information, Kass said.

An entire floor will be renovated to create the laboratory, according to the library's official Web page.

The renovation plans also include the installation of a current reading room that will contain copies of medical journals according to the Web page. Plans are being made to include accommodations for rare books and special collections--such as special shelves and climate control systems.

According to Ross Vogel, who works in the Administration Department of the library, the renovations will not affect student access to the library.

"They will be done in such a way that there will be shifting from one floor to another, and the library will remain operational," she said.

A special committee--the Executive Committee of the Library Resources committee--is responsible for the fundraising for the renovations.

In 1994, the estimated cost of the renovations was $15 million, said Dr. Ogles-by Paul '38, co-chair of the fundraising committee during its second year.

However, since then, reconstruction costs have risen.

"I have a hunch that the cost will be nearer to $20 million," said Paul, who is also professor of medicine, emeritus at HMS.

Several years ago, there was talk of renting out the first two floors of the library to raise funds, he said.

As an alternative, the fundraising committee was established. It has raised $13.4 million to date, Paul said.

The money has come from foundations, individuals and corporations, Paul said.

Some of the larger contributions came from the Massachusetts Medical Society, which donated about $250,000, and a $41.6 million donation from Boston Medical Library, according to Paul.

The Medical School donated about $5 million, he added.

"We've raised enough to make it abundantly clear that there is a commitment on the part of many people to make the library serve all of its constituencies better than it has in the past," Kass said.

The library has not undergone major renovations in almost 30 years, leaving it in need of repair, Kass said.