Renovations Begin at Odum Library

VALDOSTA - Renovations began today, June 15, on the older portion of Odum Library built in 1969-1972, by moving offices and contents from the second "main" floor to the first. On Tuesday, June 16, the library's entrance will move to the first floor.

According to University Librarian Georgia Gaumond, when the library addition was planned in 1997, part of the construction was to include a renovation of the original building, a phase that had to be omitted because of cost increases during planning and construction of the addition, which opened in 2004.

Interior renovation of the original building will be done in three phases over two or three years, one floor at a time, beginning with the second floor. The project will replace the heating/ventilation/air-conditioning system on all three floors, replace sprinkler heads, install new smoke detectors, replace ceiling tiles, add new lighting, replace carpet, and paint.

The renovation will make the interior design similar to that of the addition. Some structural changes will be made to interior offices, improving space and design. New study rooms will be added on the third floor, eliminating some small study rooms and incorporating built-in carrels that are not used. When the project is finished, the whole library will seamless, aesthetically pleasing and more functional for users.

More complete information about the project and location of materials and services can be found on the Library's website:
http://www.valdosta.edu/library/about/Renovation.shtml .