Bishop’s House on East Campus (behind Bassett Residence Hall), will serve as a temporary base of library services while Lilly Library is being renovated. The location is open to library users as of August 1!
A few months ago, while Duke was preparing for commencement exercises, here in the Libraries we were gearing up for a commencement of another sort—the official start of the Lilly Project! The library’s doors were locked, CLOSED FOR RENOVATION signs were posted, and the tricky work of packing up and moving an entire library began in earnest.
While Lilly’s staff were busy reshelving piles of returned books from the end of the semester, they also had to decide which ones should go to temporary storage for the next two years, and which to Perkins and Bostock Libraries on West Campus. Staff offices and workspaces had to be boxed up and relocated (with help from our tireless Facilities and Distribution Services team). Thank goodness Lilly’s extensive art collection had already been moved over spring break! But tens of thousands of books still had to be taken off the shelves and out of the building—without damaging anything or getting them out of order.
Needless to say, it’s been a busy summer for Lilly’s staff. Today, as we open the doors of Lilly’s temporary renovation quarters at Bishop’s House, we thought we would share some scenes from the move—a parting glance, if you will, at the old Lilly Library before the makeover really begins. Many of these were originally posted on Lilly’s Instagram account, but we also wanted to share them here as we begin to track the renovation’s progress over the next two years. Check back soon for more updates!
Lee Sorensen, Librarian for Visual Studies and Dance at Lilly, reviews materials before they’re boxed up and moved.Carts of books from Lilly’s stacks, shrink-wrapped, carefully labeled, and ready to be loaded out.Movers load the book carts onto trucks for transfer to temporary storage during the renovation.The Few Reading Room. Just a few weeks earlier, this space was full of books and students cramming for final exams.Lilly’s main service lobby, empty of computers, printers, furniture, and almost everything else!Shelves that once held Lilly’s extensive collection of DVDs and films, most of which have been relocated to Perkins Library during the renovation.Anybody here? A few lonely study tables are all that’s left in Lilly’s basement.David Felton, Lilly Media and Reserves Coordinator, collects bookends and checks for any overlooked items left on the shelves.Lilly’s staff take a break for one last group “shelfie.”The entrance to Bishop’s House, Lilly’s home away from home for the next two years. A small number of free 30-minute parking spaces are conveniently located next to the building for visitors.The library service desk in Bishop’s House, where users can pick up holds, access course reserves, and get help with any questions. Note the antique fireplace, one of many architectural charms of Lilly’s temporary renovation headquarters.Library users can still find scanners, copiers, printers, and other equipment they need at Bishop’s House.These antique school desks on the front porch of Bishop’s House could be your new favorite study spot. Stop by and pay us a visit!
