Renovation of the Health Science Center Library at Shands

Another section of the document shared with the Provost on March 13th was a request for support for the renovation of the Health Science Center Library. The text is provided below.

RENOVATION

The main Health Science Center Library remains in its original 1976 construction state. There are no internal elevators or bathrooms. Additionally, when the HSCL was built in 1976, there was no conception of the role technology would play in information access and management, so it was constructed as a “print volumes” library. Overtime the library has been retrofitted, but a complete renovation would provide for more efficient use of technology to address the way users now seek information.

The University of Florida priority list of construction using the Federal stimulus funds includes $5 million for HSCL renovation. This would be adequate to refurbish the existing library, allowing the provision of internal bathrooms and internal access to elevators. If that funding is not made available, then substantial renovation could be accomplished in phases over the next three or four years.

As noted below, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education has identified adequate study space, lounge areas and rooms for small-group sessions as areas of partial or substantial noncompliance with accreditation standards. These are areas that the HSCL could readily address through renovation.

RESULTS

As a result of the meeting with the Provost, Wallace McLendon, Director of the Health Science Center Libraries, and Judy Russell, Dean of University Libraries, will be preparing a plan for phased renovation to present to the Provost, the Senior Vice President for Health Affairs, and the deans of the Health Science Center colleges.