USI » Governmental Relations » Captial Budget 2005-2007

Attachment A

DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Budget Agency Number: G-0-01-1-01-P

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT:
The proposed construction of a new David L. Rice Library and renovation of the existing library will provide space to address growth in library functions and several other services now housed within the existing library.

A new 93,230 ASF library building will be constructed adjacent to the existing library. A portion of the existing library, 7,940 ASF, will be renovated for academic functions. The remainder of the existing library will be used for expansion of the University Center. In addition, a low-cost prefabricated building with 3,900 ASF will be constructed at an off-site location for Central Receiving and Distribution Services.

New Construction
84,745 ASF Library Functions
3,985 ASF Classrooms and Faculty Offices
4,500 ASF Unfinished Lower Level
93,230 ASF Total New Library Building

3,900 ASF Central Receiving and Distribution Services, Off-Site Location
97,130 ASF Total New Construction

Renovation of Existing Building
1,848 ASF Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research
686 ASF Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence
5,406 ASF Extended Services
7,940 ASF Total Renovation

Combined New Construction and Renovation
105,070 ASF Total Project

Rice Library opened in 1971 when enrollment was 2,624. Initially, library functions occupied two of the building's three floors. As additional space was needed, the library expanded into all three floors as other functions relocated. Today, there are more than 9,300 students and no space is available for library expansion within the existing structure.

When the library opened 30 years ago, it provided more than 15 ASF per student. Because enrollment has increased, but the size of the library has not, the library now provides about 4 ASF per student. With the addition of the new library, space per student will increase to about 9 ASF.

Although the new library will be sized for the University's current student body, it will be capable of expanding to accommodate future growth. An unfinished lower level will be constructed, as will several classrooms and offices which can be converted to additional library space at a later date.

There is a need to expand space for library services to accommodate growing numbers of students, faculty, staff, and community residents using the facility; to incorporate technology into the building to better serve library patrons; and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of library operations.

To better access databases and other electronic information sources, additional student workstations with computers and printers are required.
Additional student space for group and individual study is needed. A minimum of 10 to 15 percent of students should be able to find seating at any given time. Currently, the University can accommodate less than six percent of the student population.
Shelving for library materials needs to be expanded. Although expansion of print collections may increase more slowly in the future, current space does not meet current need.
Expansion of library space will eliminate the current use of hallways and stairwells for storage cabinets, study carrels, and display cases.
The effectiveness of library instruction for more than a few students at one time will be enhanced through the use of electronic classrooms.
Expansion and redesign of the library facility will address physical barriers that currently exist for disabled patrons.
Redesign of office space will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the library.

As a part of this project, 7,940 ASF of the existing library building will be renovated for Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research, the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, and Extended Services.

In addition, Central Receiving and Distribution Services, which is currently located in the existing library, will be relocated to an off-site location. A new 3,900 ASF facility will be constructed to more efficiently accommodate the University's central receiving function.

Improved access from roadways and parking areas to the new library and the expanded University Center is an important part of this project. Funds are requested for redesign of University Boulevard to increase safety, improve access from parking areas, and to better control the flow of on-campus traffic.

BACKGROUND:
In 2001, the Indiana General Assembly appropriated planning funds for the Library/ Classroom Expansion project. Although the funds have not been released, the University used its own funds to begin architectural planning. The resulting architectural work has reaped substantial benefits for the University and the State. Originally conceived as an expansion to the library's footprint, the project has now been integrated into the Campus Master Plan and is closely linked with a related project to expand the University Center.

When the University of Southern Indiana's library expansion project was described in the 2001-03 Capital Improvement Budget Request, it was a concept. Now, two years later, plans are much more detailed. The current request is the result of extensive work by two architectural firms who met repeatedly with building stakeholders, university personnel, and trustees to transform the 2001-03 concept into the 2003-05 plan.

PLANNING CHANGES:
In its 2001-03 Capital Improvement Budget Request, the University requested an 81,800 ASF expansion to the library, to be followed one biennium later by renovation of the existing 40,855 ASF library. The current project proposal updates the original concept, as summarized below.

	ASF Original Concept	ASF Current Plan
By Project Type
New Construction	81,800	97,130
Renovation	40,855	7,940
TOTAL	122,655	105,070

ASF
Original Concept ASF Current Plan

By Project Type

Library Functions 90,000 84,745

Library Unfinished Lower Level 0 4,500

Classrooms and Faculty Offices 19,600 3,985

Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence 700 686

Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research 1,500 1,848

Extended Services 5,000 5,406

Central Receiving and Distribution Services 5,855 3,900

TOTAL 122,655 105,070

The current plan calls for a project slightly smaller than the original concept, with increased reliance on new construction and diminished emphasis on renovation.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:
Construction of the new David L. Rice Library is closely related to another capital improvement project requested in the 2003-05 Capital Improvement Budget Request. Once the new library is built, the vacated library will be renovated. The University Center and various academic functions will expand into portions of the vacated space.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This project does not involve historically significant buildings.

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600