.jpg)
Guide & Map
HOW TO CHECK OUT MATERIALS
FIND AVAILABLE STUDY SPACE
FIND LIBRARY STAFF
FAQ
BUILDING HOURS
Contact information:
shainreno@conncoll.edu
Renovated library to open much earlier than projected
Connecticut College’s $9.875 million transformation of Charles E. Shain Library will be completed a full five months earlier than anticipated, and the building will officially open on March 23.
This fast-tracked opening — made possible by good planning, good weather and some good luck — will allow the campus community to end the academic year with full use of the library’s completely refurbished classrooms and collaborative study areas, new high-tech tools for learning and onsite scholastic resources, and a beautiful new café that will also provide a 24-hour study space.
The College will mark the project’s successful completion with several celebrations, including one on March 22 specifically for students and a community-wide open house on March 23. In addition, there will be opportunities for alumni, parents and friends of the College to celebrate at Commencement and during Fall Weekend.
Members of the College community played a key role in determining renovation priorities, and the new library will reflect their input and better serve their needs … as well as the needs of future students and patrons.
Thanks go to students, faculty and staff for their patience and flexibility during this project. Continue visiting this page for updates and other information related to your new library.
Behind the scenes of a Shain Library 'book pull'
December 9, 2014
Dana Sorkin '16, video blogger for the ConnCollegeLive Experience, tagged along on a nightly "book pull" to see how a book request ends up at the circulation desk while Shain Library is offline. She writes:
With final exams only a few days away, Conn students are busy scouring research materials for projects and papers. Shain Library is currently undergoing extensive renovations (It will be open when we return from Spring Break!), so we aren't able to browse the stacks like usual, but all the library's books and resources are still available. I went behind-the-scenes and into the construction zone with library staff to see how our book requests move from Shain to the temporary circulation desk each night.
CommentThe finals countdown
December 5, 2014
Information Services will offer extra hours and services during finals. They include:
• Round-the-clock hours in Blaustein, beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, until 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16. There will be snacks, puzzles and other diversions for those moments when you need a break.
• Greer Music Library will be open each day until midnight from Thursday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 14, and will be open until 11 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15.
• The Language & Culture Center will offer extended weekend hours opening from 10 a.m. until midnight through Sunday, Dec. 14.
• Research assistance will be available in person at the reference desk in Ernst, and by chat, phone (860-439-2655), text (860-787-5001) or email (refdesk@conncoll.edu). See http://libraries.conncoll.edu for specific details and hours.
• The Blue Camel Café will be open until midnight throughout finals.
• Courtesy of the Office of Administration, the 1941, 1962 and Alice Johnson rooms in Cro will be designated as 24-hour study spaces throughout finals.
• Newly added: Neff Lab (Harris) and PC Classroom (Knowlton) will be open 24 hours during finals.
>> See all building hours
Get a sneak peek
November 18, 2014
Photographers were recently given access to Shain Library (and hard hats!) in order to document the progress to date. With glass installed on the new front entrance, the building is now sealed up, just in time for more work to move inside during the cold winter months.
Nothing but blue skies
November 7, 2014
Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by ...
The face of library renovations
October 31, 2014
One of the most popular costumes at this year’s Staff Halloween Party came from Mark Bliven, the assistant manager of printing and mailing services. Students judging the costume contest rewarded his efforts with a prize for representing the most culturally relevant campus topic, and President Katherine Bergeron couldn’t resist trying out his get-up.
#Shainreno Exposed, Part 2
October 16, 2014
During the SGA-sponsored #Shainreno Exposed event on Oct. 10, attendees wrote down questions or comments about the project. The renovation team’s answers are below. And remember, if you have questions or comments, use shainreno@conncoll.edu.
Question
Will there still be plenty of cubbies? I love cubbies! (Especially cubbies with outlets and near windows.)
Answer
The existing cubbies will be redistributed throughout the study spaces. Additional electrical outlets are being added in all renovated areas to increase the access to outlets.
Question
Just a compliment: You are all killing it. My only regret is that, as a senior, I won’t enjoy the amazing new building.
Answer
Thanks for the compliment! We do understand that the seniors are paying the highest price for not having library services located in Shain this year. We hope that you will make plans to visit and tour the library once it is completed and open to everyone.
Question
I love all the new collaborative spaces, but individual study nooks are important as well. Will we still have many of those?
Answer
Yes, individual study spaces, such as small tables and cubbies, are still going to be available. The existing carrels will return and/or be redeployed throughout the building. There are also plans for several smaller study tables to be added. The project contains several different types of study spaces (cubbies, chairs, tables and group spaces, to name a few) that should accommodate different types of student and visitor study preferences.
Concrete steps forward
October 15, 2014
#ShainReno progress: sidewalks & plantings are being installed. It's a sign that construction will move indoors soon! pic.twitter.com/R6Jsli079e
— ConnCollegeLive (@ConnCollegeLive) October 15, 2014
#Shainreno Exposed
October 10, 2014
Thanks to SGA for hosting #Shainreno Exposed, a great opportunity for students to meet the professionals behind the design, construction and coordination of the Shain Library renovation.
Watch this space for answers to the questions posed on paper at the event.
Take a seat
September 18, 2014
Students, faculty and staff have been asked to test drive sample chairs and help choose the future furniture for Shain Library. Test drivers are trying out three different sets of chairs to find the best fit for three different areas of the renovated library.
