MPAL First Floor Renovations

Project Overview

The first floor of the Music and Performing Arts Library received some updates this summer! We replaced the ceiling, lights, and carpet, as well as painting. We are in the process of returning collections to the space and will be making further updates to the furnishings.

Latest Project News

  • October 20: All 1st floor collections are now back on the shelves!
  • October 7: Collections have begun returning to the 1st floor, and Plays, Reference, and about 2/3 of the book collection are back on the shelves.
  • August 24: Access to the 1st floor of MPAL is restored; access to the 2nd floor is only available from the 1st floor of MPAL
  • August 18: New ceilings, lights, painting, and carpets are done. The floor cleaning and refinishing are taking considerably longer than expected, and means that shelving is not in place yet. However, we anticipate that services and technology should be available on the first floor on the first day of classes.
  • August 5: the ceilings and lights are done and painting is well underway, as is floor cleaning and refinishing. Still to come are new carpeting and putting everything back where it was! We continue to offer services and collection access on our second floor, accessible from the Music Building north lobby stairs or elevator.
  • May 19: MPAL 1st floor is now closed and the 2nd floor is open. Library materials can still be returned at 1st floor drop boxes, or at the drop boxes outside of the building, or on the second floor.
  • May 10: All first-floor collection materials (media, books, journals, plays, reference collection) are now relocated to and available from the Main Stacks.

Project Timeline

These dates are estimates and we will update this page if these targets change.

  • April 6 First-floor collections begin move to the Main Stacks in the Main Library and can be used or requested from there
    • The move of the 1st floor collections will take 6 weeks on either side of the renovation work, with additional time needed to remove and reconstruct shelving.
  • April 6-May 22 Services and study spaces on both floors and second floor collections available to patrons as normal
  • May 15-19 Services and spaces open on 1st floor
  • May 20 First floor of MPAL is closed. Patrons can access services, collections, and study spaces on MPAL’s 2nd floor.
  • May 26 Ceiling/lights/painting begins and work is expected to last 10-12 weeks
  • Estimated between July 31 and Aug 14 Ceiling/lights/painting completed
  • Once renovations complete Shelving is reinstalled and 1st floor collections begin return to MPAL
  • 8/24 (first day of classes) or as soon as possible thereafter  First floor furniture, technology, and services are reinstated on 1st floor and available to patrons
  • End of October All 1st floor collections successfully returned to MPAL from Main Stacks

Questions

If you have questions about the renovation or are having issues finding or locating materials during it, please send an email to mpal@library.illinois.edu.

Project Pictures

Before

Reading Room of the Music and Performing Arts Library
Reading Room of the Music and Performing Arts Library
Computer area in the Music and Performing Arts Library
Computer area in the Music and Performing Arts Library

During

ceiling, lights, and shelving removed from MPAL 1st floor
The ceiling, lights, and shelving have largely been removed from MPAL 1st floor
MPAL lights and ceiling work
New lights are in and ceiling frame is ready for the tiles; painting is under way!
New ceilings and lights in MPAL first floor
New ceilings, lights, and paint are complete (or close to complete) on MPAL’s first floor!

After

Books on shelves
Books returning to the new-to-us shelving
Library computer area
New paint and carpet in the library computer area