Another obstacle is that the library will haveto conform to some laws that, perhaps weren'tdesigned for a building of its size and purpose.
According to new fire laws, a library ofWidener's size must have the ability to evacuate1,500 people, 150 for each stack level and wellover the numbers the library contains at any time.
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Since the library intends to remain open duringthe construction process, library officials saythey have spent a lot of time orientingconstruction workers to the labyrinthinelibrary-and reminding them that people will beworking as they work.
Still, they realize that some patrons will notwant to work in the library given the necessarilyincreased noise.
In response they say that they are notifyingother libraries to prepare to handle the overflowof patrons from Widener, and that they will notifystudents of underused facilities around campus.
Another potential complication to therenovations is that Harvard's library collectionis not insured. The buildings are--through theUniversity--but the collection itself has beencalled "priceless and irreplaceable," and theUniversity has to swallow the loss if thecollections are damaged.
Additionally, the library purchases $10 millionin new materials a year, so the new constructionis needed to "protect what we have, but [also]what we will," says Beth S. Brainard,Communications and Public Information Officer forthe Harvard College Library.
But even after this massive construction, thelibrary's renovators have been told to allow roomfor more changes in the future. Library officialssay the circulation area and Loker reading roommay be the next part of Widener to need afacelift.