Lilly Library at Bishop's House, Renovation Update

Steeling Ourselves for Lilly’s Next Phase

Over the last several weeks, the steel framing of the expanded Lilly Library has started to take shape.

As the fall semester gets into full swing, so is the expansion phase of the Lilly Library renovation and expansion project.

If you’ve visited East Campus lately, you’ve probably seen the steel structural skeleton rising up behind the library. A major part of the Lilly Project is to increase the library’s footprint. When complete, Lilly will be nearly 75 percent larger than it was originally. It will have significantly more user seating (635 seats, up from 444) and offer more group study spaces, more technology-equipped project rooms, more quiet reading nooks, a 75-seat assembly space for events, and (finally!) a large café where students and faculty can meet up over a cup of coffee.

A few weeks ago, a small group of library staff took a hard hat tour of the construction site to get an up-close look at the progress. A few of these images have been featured on Lilly’s Instagram account, but we also wanted to share them here as we mark this major project milestone. In case it’s helpful to visualize what the new-and-improved Lilly will look like, we included some renderings from the architect. As we close in on one year from the project’s anticipated completion date, it’s exciting to see so much careful planning, design, fundraising, and hard work come to life!

Remember, throughout the renovation, Lilly Library staff will operate out of Bishop’s House (located behind Bassett Residence Hall and next to the Academic Advising Building), where you can always get help with any library questions or services.

Check back soon for more updates!

In the main entrance atrium, where Lilly’s circulation desk once stood, steel beams show where a new second-story balcony will go, connecting the building’s two wings.
A view of the new balcony from the second floor.
Architect’s rendering of the finished space, suggesting how the entrance atrium will look after completion.
The Few Reading Room. The historic windows have been refurbished and reinstalled, the ceiling repainted, and most of the original woodwork removed.
Architect’s rendering of the same room, which will appear much as it did pre-renovation, with updated finishes and furnishings.

 

Looking at Lilly from the south, showing where the steel and glass extension will join the historic 1927 masonry structure.
Architect’s rendering from the same perspective, showing the completed building extension.
Above and below, the steel framing of the library extension slowly comes together. The beams at the top of the stepladder are at ground level, where the new cafe/commons will be located.

Architect’s rendering of the new cafe, showing steps leading up and connecting to the original library building.
Only one more year until we can welcome you inside. Check back soon for more updates and behind-the-scenes photos of our progress!