Summer project to close sections of Love Library, impact campus traffic

The removal of a deteriorating “crown” will cause a temporary and partial summertime closure of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Love Library.

Starting at 5 p.m. May 7, Love Library North, the Adele Hall Learning Commons and the Love Library Link will be closed to allow for the removal of precast concrete and metal structures that crown the roofline of Love North. The closure is scheduled through June 14. Love Library South will remain open and its south doors will serve as a primary entrance.

Fencing will block access to the project site, spanning sidewalks running on the north and south sides of Love North and to the 12th and 14th street corridors to the east and west of the building. The enclosed space will include the sidewalk that passes under the Love Library Link.

University Communication

Love Library North, constructed in 1972, has a flat roof, but the decorative precast panels and screens were intended to mirror the iconic roofline of Love South. Barry Christensen, director of minor construction with Facilities Planning and Construction, said the precast panels have started to deteriorate, creating damage to the columns below, and had periodically caused pieces of concrete to fall to the surface below prior to precautionary repairs last fall.

“This is a proactive project to remove the precast panels before they create further building deterioration or become a real danger to our campus,” Christensen said. “When complete, the new roofline will blend in with that of the Link.

“People familiar with campus may notice these aesthetic structures are missing. But, people coming in new will think that’s the way Love North has always looked.”

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A 600-ton crane will be used to remove the 24 precast concrete panels — which weigh up to 26,000 pounds each — and metal screen. Crews plan to work six days a week (weather permitting) and trucks will be used to haul the detritus off site. When possible, materials (particularly the metal) will be recycled.

“This is going to be a very active site,” Christensen said. “Our goal is to complete the work as efficiently as possible, minimizing the impact on our campus community and protecting Love North so it can continue to serve students, faculty and the public.”

The University Libraries plan to shift services during the project. Those changes include:

• Relocating the media services desk, large-format scanner and a flatbed scanner to the Love South second floor lobby;

• Book retrieval from closed areas will take place after construction is completed each day;

• The Huskertech desk and One-Button Studio will not be accessible. Laptop checkout and technology assistance will be offered at other Huskertech Help Center locations on City and East campuses;

• Dunkin Donuts in the learning commons will be closed May 10 to July 5; and

• The Digital Learning Center in the learning commons will be closed. Faculty can use the secure drop box at the Love South ASKus desk to leave Scantron documents for processing. Students will need to schedule digital tests at the East Campus Exam Commons in the Dinsdale Family Learning Commons.

Study space, including two group study rooms, will remain available in Love Library South.

The entire Love Library complex is expected to reopen on June 13. Dunkin Donuts will restart operations on July 6.

Additional details on the project’s various impacts to library services will be posted on the University Libraries’ website.