Construction that began in spring 2004 on an addition to the Carpenter Library may be finished this May, with full renovations completed by September.

“The planning process took five years to identify the project, and the funding for the addition had to be approved by the Legislature,” said Joe Noll, the project’s construction manager.

The main entrance to the four-story, 86,000-square foot building will face Lot 2, the west parking lot. The building took approximately 12 months to design.

According to Noll, the building and program committee that decided on the final requirements for the library consisted of university representatives

Once the library addition is finished, Turner Construction will begin to renovate the building currently in use.

“The library we use now will be remodeled and will be finished by September of 2005,” said Kathleen Cohen, interim director for the library. “The new addition to the library will benefit all students and employees at UNF. The new addition will have study group rooms, more computer labs and lounge areas. The greatest addition is that you can use your laptop for Internet use because the whole library will be wireless.”

According to Richard Crosby, associate vice president for administration and finance, the library completion will cost UNF $22.5 million.

“The cost is covering equipment budget, furniture, shelving and wireless operations,” Crosby said. “The library is going be more modern.”

Funding sources for the library construction include The Training Service Institution, a nonprofit organization that gave $3.89 million to the university. Public Education Capital Outlay funds from the Florida Legislature totaled $18.6 million.

The new addition will include more space and accessible research that will benefit students, Crosby said.

Cohen said the extra space should benefit everyone.

“The new library will be able to accommodate 2,000 students, which I am sure students will be excited about,” she said.

Contact Dalia Mousa at uspinnak@unf.edu.