Category Archives: Renovation Update

Lilly Library at Bishop's House, Renovation Update

Last Act for the Old Stacks

As the new year gets under way, we’re happy to report that the Lilly Library renovation is also entering a new and exciting phase.

Over the last couple of months, construction workers have removed all four levels of the library’s original book stack core, from top to bottom, almost like coring an apple.

Needless to say, accomplishing such a task in a century-old building presents all kinds of interesting logistical challenges, as the original steel stacks were load-bearing and anchored into the surrounding brick walls.

Each floor of stacks was held up by a grid of steel pillars supporting a deck of white marble flooring, all of which needed to come out, starting at the top and gradually moving down to ground level.

The old steel stacks were the state-of-the-art in 1927, when the library first opened. But over the years they presented numerous challenges and limitations, including their inflexibility, cramped and narrow aisles, and shallow shelf depth, which didn’t work well for housing Lilly’s many large-format art and photography books.

After the renovation, Lilly’s new book stacks will be located in the bottom level of the building in brand new compact shelving, in order to increase their holding capacity and free up space in the upper levels for library users.

We wanted to share some before-and-after shots, showing the progress of the stack demolition and removal. It’s a dramatic transformation, we think you’ll agree—the first of many to come! Stay tuned and check back soon for more renovation updates. And don’t forget to visit Lilly’s home-away-from-home during the renovation at Bishop’s House!

A view of Lilly’s stacks before the renovation. Note the low ceiling and narrow, cramped aisles.
The shallow depth of the steel shelves was never ideal for housing Lilly’s sizable collection of large-format art and photography books.
A view of the stack demolition in progress.
Each floor of the original stacks was held up by a grid of steel pillars supporting a deck of white marble flooring. Here, the marble floor has been removed, exposing the level below.
Because the stack core was load-bearing, construction workers had to start at the top and gradually work their way down to ground level, almost like coring an apple.
In addition to removing the stacks, workers also had to remove the plaster covering the original brick walls and remediate hazardous materials like asbestos.
Getting down to the original brick walls that surrounded the steel stack core structure.
The original brick walls, now exposed, which anchored the stacks in place.
Demolition complete! The space is now ready for its next transformation.
Renovation Update

See You Later, Lilly. Hello, Bishop’s House! Scenes from Moving Out

Lilly Library at Bishop's House sign in front of Bishop's House on Duke's East Campus
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!

Man working at desk behind moving boxes.
Lee Sorensen, Librarian for Visual Studies and Dance at Lilly, reviews materials before they’re boxed up and moved.
Carts of books in library lobby waiting to be moved.
Carts of books from Lilly’s stacks, shrink-wrapped, carefully labeled, and ready to be loaded out.
Movers loading carts of books onto moving truck.
Movers load the book carts onto trucks for transfer to temporary storage during the renovation.
Empty library reading room with no furniture or books.
The Few Reading Room. Just a few weeks earlier, this space was full of books and students cramming for final exams.
Empty library lobby with rug rolled up.
Lilly’s main service lobby, empty of computers, printers, furniture, and almost everything else!
Empty shelves with no more books on them.
Shelves that once held Lilly’s extensive collection of DVDs and films, most of which have been relocated to Perkins Library during the renovation.
Empty and dark library basement with only tables left behind.
Anybody here? A few lonely study tables are all that’s left in Lilly’s basement.
Library staff worker collecting bookends from empty shelves.
David Felton, Lilly Media and Reserves Coordinator, collects bookends and checks for any overlooked items left on the shelves.
People smiling behind empty library bookshelves.
Lilly’s staff take a break for one last group “shelfie.”
Facade and front porch of large white house.
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.
Room with library desk, computers, and antique fireplace in Bishop's House.
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.
Room with desks, computers, printers, and other library equipment.
Library users can still find scanners, copiers, printers, and other equipment they need at Bishop’s House.
Antique school desks on the front porch of 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!