The new lounge furniture arrived last week. Here are a couple of photos of the crew unpacking everything. The new chairs really give the library a very friendly feeling.

This is the furniture being opened in the lounge area.

It’s been a long road since the construction started in May, but the newly remodeled Moraine Valley Library is up and running. There are still a few loose ends to finish up, but for the most part, the remodeling is complete.

Coffee is brewing in the coffee bar, and already, many students, staff, and faculty are enjoying a cup while reading or meeting with others.

Electronic Alley provides students with access to online tools, word processing, and Internet access.

Fran and Cathleen help patrons at the circulation desk.

Students use the quiet study area.

Marea answering email questions at the information desk.

Over the next weeks all of the COL 101 (College: Changes, Challenges, Choices) sections will be coming into the library for class sessions. Here is Lee working with COL 101 students.

The Moraine Valley IT staff is racing to set up the library’s computers, and the library’s circulation crew is busily working to get the circulation desk stocked and ready for Tuesday, when the new library is scheduled to open. While there may be a few loose ends to tie up on Tuesday, most services appear to be in place for the arrival of our students.

The coffee bar will be complete, but there may not be any coffee brewing during the first few days of the semester. The coffee vendor will be ready very soon.

Alicea demonstrates the new periodicals shelving. The periodicals have been moved to the front of the library near the coffee for more convenient access.

The study rooms are a great addition to the library, which will allow small groups of students to work together on projects.

President Crawley and Vice President Duren stop by the library and check on the day’s progress.

Fran busily works to get the circulation area unpacked and ready for service.

This is the periodicals reading area.

It’s been quite a journey through each phase of the library’s remodeling. The final segment of the journey will be the arrival of students!

Now that the collection is back on the shelves, the library staff is adjusting all of the items so that they are in their proper positions. In some areas, this requires a great deal of work as entire ranges of books, videos and DVDs have to shifted.

Lee moving items.

Helen works to get this section in order.

Here is Irene moving boxes.

Our staff is working to get the library’s collection of books, DVDs, and other learning resources back on the shelves and ready for use.

Lee reads over the shelves to ensure that books are in proper order.

Student aids Josh & Ed are working on integrating the AV collection with the printed collection.

Time is getting tight, but we are still hoping to be open by January 18th. The crew is working quickly to get everything together in time!

This is the new wall at the front of the library.

This is going to be the area for the new coffee bar.

Here are new chairs waiting to be put in place.