Courtesy of University Communications

Construction progresses
While most students took the winter break off, construction continued on the new Henry Madden Library. The new library is not expected to open until December of this year at the earliest, but large portions have already been completed.

Lori Pardi, an assistant planner in Facilities Planning, explained what work has been done on the library:

̢ۢ Most of the exterior work is done, except for the fourth floor, which still needs framing and concrete poured. Roofing will begin on the fourth floor in mid-January.
̢ۢ The concrete has been poured for the first through third floors and the basement. The design on the concrete, such as the grey blocks and angular lines, were meant to resemble an aerial view of Valley farmland.
̢ۢ Other finished work includes installation of exterior panels, glass and sheet rock.
̢ۢ If any other work will impact library hours or student walkways, e-mail notices will be sent out.
̢ۢ The rest of the changes will take place on the interior of the library, away from student view. The interior structure for the elevators is being installed. Painters are priming the basement. Finishing touches, such as curtain rods and hand dryers, are also going in.
̢ۢ The library is planning a Jan. 19 closure to install the new air conditioning and heating unit on the roof. The school is attempting to schedule the construction so that it happens during non-operating hours for the library. But if that̢۪s not possible then an e-mail will be sent out to students informing them of any changes in the library̢۪s hours.

Editor’s note: The library will not be closing on Jan. 19 for the installation of the air conditioning and heating units. For more information please see “Henry Madden Library – Saturday, Jan. 19.”

Library design honored

A year before its scheduled completion date, the new Henry Madden Library is already turning heads. AC Martin Partners, the architectural firm that designed the library, won an award for its plans from the Long Beach/South Bay chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

The award looks for “design resolution or design advancement in the areas of social progress, new technologies, environmental commitment or preservation and restoration sensitivity,â€Â according to a newsletter published by the institute.

According to Bob Murrin, one of the chief architects who worked on the project, there were several design elements from the library that led to the award. One was the cylindrical basket shape in part of the building, which was inspired by a Native American tribal belief that baskets are containers of knowledge.

This metaphor also caught the attention of Table Mountain Rancheria, who donated $10 million to assist in the construction of the library. Murrin said AC Martin Partners worked together with Table Mountain and Fresno State to build on the Native American theme, including interior fabric colors and artwork.

“The theme helps boost the design,â€Â Murrin said. “I like buildings that are connected to a place in time.â€Â

Murrin said he was also excited about the possibilities of the north wall of the library. He explained that since north-facing walls never get direct sunlight, they can be built using much more glass than east or west facing walls.

The library̢۪s north wall overlooks the Peace Garden. Murrin said he was glad to be able to design huge windows so students could look at the garden while studying.

Murrin said his and the firm’s priority was to avoid the idea that libraries were “dungeons of dusty old booksâ€Â and “wanted to make it a welcoming place.â€Â

Other design elements that caught the attention of the American Institute of Architects were several energy saving features, and a series of collapsible shelves. These shelves would allow the library to accommodate up to three times as many books as traditional storage.

Books upon request
As the Henry Madden Library has undergone construction, the staff has worked to ensure books are still available for students. Here is a look inside two systems: One transports Fresno State̢۪s books to and from a local warehouse, while the other allows students to request books from 49 other university libraries.