Scaffolding Update

The workers have been working diligently to complete renovations and re-open a classroom (room 112) that has been put offline for the past several months in conjunction with the O’Brian Hall Roof Project.  The scaffolding in classroom 112 is scheduled to come down Monday night so this room will be usable at the beginning of the fall ’08 semester.

Scaffolding on the 2nd floor of the Law Library is scheduled to be taken down starting Tuesday (8/26) evening after the library closes at 5:00 p.m.  It will take a couple of days to complete this portion of the project.  The removal of the scaffolding will take place after 5:00 p.m. to minimize disruption to faculty, staff, and students.

New Computer Lab Computers

Koren AV Lab, originally uploaded by jmilles.

In recent years 85-90% of incoming law students have arrived at UB Law with laptop computers. About the same percentage have high-speed Internet access at home. The main use (but certainly not the only use) law students have made of the Law School’s computers has been to access the printers. Since the University rolled out wireless printing last year, the need for large numbers of lab computers has decreased.

Old lab computers

This fall the Law School is replacing the old Law Lab computers and reducing their number. We have just installed 15 new Dell computers in the Koren AV Center Lab. Later this fall, when the scaffolding is removed and the new computer desks arrive, eight of the new computers will be moved to the 3rd floor to be closer to the Reference Desk and the print collection. We continue to offer wireless computing and printing throughout the Law Library for laptop users. (The University’s wireless printing does not currently support Mac users. You will have to use the Lab computers for your printing needs at the Law School.)

Update from 8/13/08 Meeting

Work will begin to install the new skylight in the library on August 22nd.  This should only take one day to complete.

The hallway and classrooms on the second floor (by the student lounge) will be opened up on or before August 25th; the first day of classes.

The scaffolding will be broken down sometime during the first week of classes (August 25-29).  This work will be done after the library closes at 5:00 p.m. to allow for minimal disruption to the staff and students.  Cheri will send out an email to the 1st year law students letting them know that the scaffolding will still be in place during the first week of classes.

Since the semester will be in full bloom shortly, it has been asked that the Law Library be cleaned up significantly before the students return.  Attention needs to be paid to the carpets, stairwell, elevator, tables, and stacks.  The contractors will do their part to clean up after themselves and the University cleaning staff will be resposible for their regular duties and pay special attention to dusting and vacuuming the entire library.

Work is continuing to move forward on the 7th floor.  The stacks and carpets have been removed and the south side of the library has already been abated.  The workers are clearing out the north side and abatement of this side will continue over the next several weeks.

Law Library 4th Floor Soffit (South side)

The roofers have discovered a clogged drain on the 5^th floor roof.  In order to correct this problem, they will need to replace a piece of the drain pipe.  The easiest way for them to access the clogged pipe is through a soffit on the south side of the 4^th floor.  They have set up a small temporary work area (the area is covered with plastic) at this spot.  They will be cutting a hole in the wall and re-working the pipe in this area.  Once this has been completed, the hole will be filled with drywall and painted.  

I have been told that this will not create a lot of noise and should not disturb anyone on the 4^th floor.  Since the area of the wall they will be removing is drywall, and no fireproofing is in this area, there should not be an air quality concern.  This work area has already been set up and should be completed in approximately one week.

Law Library elevator not available Thurs. or Fri.

The Law Library elevator will not be functional on Thursday (7/17) or Friday (7/18 ).   The doors in the elevator lobby will be closed and plastic will cover this area as well as part of the Reading Room.  Access to the 2nd floor will be restricted from within the elevator so it will not stop on floor 2.  Most of the Reading Room will not be affected and patrons can study in this area if they choose to do so.  This portion of the project should not create a lot of extra noise in the Reading Room area.

You will be able to use the elevator to navigate floors 1, and 3 through 6, however.  Patrons are being asked to use the stairs by the Reading Room to access other floors within the library.  If a patron requires assistance moving to other floors within the library, they are asked to see a Law Library staff member.

Update from 7/2 meeting

• The NYS Bar Exam is scheduled for 7/29 and 7/30.  No construction work will take place on these days
• Asbestos abatement on the 5th floor is complete.  Will begin abatement on the 7th floor the first week in July
• Replacement of fireproofing on the 5th floor will begin next Monday (July 7) or Tuesday (July 8)
• Removal of the 5th floor roof has taken place.  Workers are now in the process of replacing foam and concrete in this area
• Abatement of first floor classrooms has begun
• The water shut down originally scheduled for today (July 2) has been pushed back to next Tuesday (July 8) at 5:00 PM until Wednesday (July 9) at 6:00 AM

No water in O’Brian Hall after 5:00 PM Wednesday (7/2)

A water shutdown is scheduled for O’Brian Hall on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 5:00 PM until Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 6:00 AM. 

DO NOT use the restrooms in O’Brian Hall as they will not be functional after 5:00 PM on Wednesday.  Please use the closest functional restrooms, which are located in Baldy Hall.

Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.  Thank you for your continued patience as the on-campus construction projects continue to move forward.