Engineering and Science Libraries Updates

The Barker Reading Room renovation project is now complete. Come check out the new lighting, furniture, carpet, and other enhancements to our space.

The construction on the exterior of the dome will continue through mid-November.

For further history and updates regarding the project, see previous posts on this blog, visit the Facilities update page, or email us.

As of Friday, June 26, the Aeronautics and Astronautics Library (Aero/Astro) will officially close its doors and its collections will be relocated to other areas within the MIT Libraries. The majority of the collections will move to the Barker Engineering Library. Barker will house all current, unbound Aero/Astro journals, as well as books, theses, CDs and DVDs. All materials are expected to be fully accessible to users by July 2nd.

Older bound journals have been moved to the Library Storage Annex. Electronic (PDF) files of articles from these journals can be requested through Barton. Whole volumes may also be requested through Barton and delivered to a library location of choice.

During the move, assistance is available for retrieving books formerly located in the Aero/Astro Library—call 617.253.5661, or inquire at the Barker Engineering Library Service Desk. Aero/Astro databases and other electronic resources will continue to be accessible 24/7, see http://libguides.mit.edu/aero for links to these resources. For additional information about Aero/Astro collections, contact Barbara Williams, the Aero/Astro librarian, via email or by phone at 617.253.5666.

Exterior repairs to the dome to fix leaks will begin in earnest starting Monday, June 8, from 7am - 3:30pm. Work is expected to last from June through November.

Work from June through September entails replacing the stonework on the stepped part of the dome and chipping/grinding away residual concrete and filled-in spaces. From September to November, there will be repairs on the curved part of the dome.

A super-structure will be built over the dome to protect it from the weather and to allow construction regardless of the forecast. There will also be scaffolding on the 5th floor exterior spaces, with infrequent access needed from within Barker spaces. A construction trailer and crane will also be installed in the space between buildings 13, 12, 10, and 4. The crane will be in heavy use throughout the summer lifting new stone up and removing debris, so access to the doors in that alleyway will be unavailable.

For further history and updates regarding the project, see previous posts on this blog, visit the Facilities update page, or email us.

The Reading Room of the Barker Library will be closed for our renovation project from Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, June 5. The Reading Room will re-open on Saturday, June 6.

All of the Barker Library will be closed for Commencement Day, Friday, June 5 due to previously scheduled events.

Beginning on June 8, the Reading Room will close again and remain closed until mid-August as our renovation project continues. We look forward to introducing you to the newly improved space in the fall!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us.

There will be minor disruptions during the morning hours this week (before 10am) due to patching and painting of the walls. The Reading Room will be closed starting Friday, March 20 and reopening on Tuesday, March 31.

During the spring break, the study carrels and tables will be removed for refinishing. The interior of the dome will also be painted during this time.

Library hours will remain as usual, including special spring break hours.

As of March 16, all library materials have been moved from the eighth floor to our off-campus storage facility. You can also read more about the details of this project.

All current journal issues (usually the latest year of a subscription) are now housed on the fifth floor between the reference section and the Barker Media Room, stacks four, five and six.

As usual, if you cannot find a particular item, please inquire at the Barker Service Desk.