"We already have the challenge of working with 11 major libraries on campus," Kline said. "It's always simpler to have everything under one roof. But we haven't had the College libraries under one roof in decades."

According to Donene Williams, treasurer of HUCTW, a union management committee that she chairs--known as the Technical Services Workgroup--already has been established to study the potential move's impact on workers and to negotiate with the administration.

In the meantime, some employees say that they have been inconvenienced simply to provide more office space inside Widener for top library administrators and professors.

"Nothing is very definite," said Dupree, "but what we've heard is that some faculty members will get office space in Widener and it's also generally assumed among the union members that the suits will take over and have plush new spaces."

Kline disagreed, saying the current renovations will result in a reshuffling of offices throughout the building, particularly to address issues of "safety and egress."

The decisions about who will stay and who will go depends on each operating unit's demonstrated need to be in close proximity to the actual stacks--a study of which is currently ongoing, according to Kline.

The amount of space taken up by professors requesting studies and office space of library administrators within Widener "is a very small factor," she added.

Still, employees like Dupree and O'Brien say they are being strong-armed by a University intent on streamlining jobs.