‘Pardon our dust’: S.E. Wimberly Library under construction with temporary floor closures
“Please pardon our dust as we upgrade the S.E. Wimberly Library to enhance your educational experience,” reads an announcement on the Florida Atlantic University Libraries website referring to the library’s $4.2 million deferred maintenance project — an initiative to perform necessary repairs that were previously postponed.
This project intends to fix air quality issues throughout the library, says Alexis Broussard, the community engagement coordinator at University Libraries. She notes that it is the first significant renovation in the library’s history, which started on June 10 and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2025.
The library will remain open during construction, but temporary floor closures have been scheduled in phases to minimize disruptions. According to the University Libraries website, the fourth and fifth floors are currently unavailable, with an anticipated completion date of Aug. 6.
Broussard mentioned that at the start of the project, the lobby was the first floor to undergo construction to install new lighting fixtures. It reopened to the public on July 16.
“During the month-long lobby renovation and temporary area closures, we provided clear signage directing students to the alternate entrance and study areas,” Broussard wrote in an email to the UP.
Broussard recommends checking the library’s website for updates on floor closures before visiting, as all public areas in the library will undergo renovation at different times.
Azita Dotiwala, FAU’s senior director of budget and planning for facilities management, provided further information about the future renovations.
“The project will repair the window sealants to address moisture intrusion, upgrade the HVAC system which is past its useful life, and replace interior duct work which involves removal and replacement of ceilings and light fixtures,” Dotiwala wrote in an email to the UP.
Dotiwala added that the state is primarily funding the project budget of $4.2 million to support system-wide deferred maintenance projects. She also said the university has provided additional funds for the project due to the scale and complexity of the work.
Michael Cook is a News Editor for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email michael17cook@gmail.com.
Latest University Press
- ‘We never knew about a fee’: FAU students respond to shuttle service feesFor many Florida Atlantic University students, the campus shuttle is a convenient way to get around. But for others who never use it, the mandatory $76.90 Transportation Access Fee (TAF) feels like an unnecessary expense — one they can’t opt out of. The University Press asked 56 students on the Breezeway in February about the...
- SG Boca House passes bills for opioid overdose awareness, blocks bill increasing electric car charging spotsThe Boca House of Representatives met on March 28 to discuss multiple bills brought before the House. A bill supplying opioid overdose training and medicine was passed alongside a bill renaming “Multicultural Programming” to “Global Programming.” However, the House blocked a bill providing more electric charging stations on campus for electric vehicles. The bills debated...
- Behind the handcuffs: Q&A with FAU Chief of Police Sean BrammerSean Brammer has served in blue for the Florida Atlantic University Police Department since 2006. However, his law enforcement experience dates back to 1997, when he began working for the Florida Highway Patrol. He worked his way up the ranks at FAU and became the Chief of Police in 2017. In a phone interview with...
- Football: Former FAU players showcase their talents at Pro DayFlorida Atlantic football hosted its annual Pro Day, where 15 former FAU players returned to their old camping grounds hoping to impress some National Football League (NFL) scouts, at the Flager Credit Union Stadium on March 25. Pro Day is more than just a day full of drills; it is an opportunity for college athletes...
- Women’s Basketball: Head Coach Jennifer Sullivan departs for assistant coach position at MissouriJennifer Sullivan officially stepped down as women’s basketball head coach at Florida Florida Atlantic University on March 25, according to an announcement made by FAU athletics. The Owls assistant coach Jessica Jackson has been named FAU’s interim head coach while the athletics department conducts a national search for Sullivan’s replacement. Sullivan has decided to accept...
- Booked and busy: FAU entrepreneurs share their success stories in rigid industryFrom startups to established companies, 17% of recent college graduates in America are business owners, according to a survey from 2022. As entrepreneurship continues to evolve, students and graduates make their mark in various industries with businesses that reflect passion and purpose. Among them are five Florida Atlantic University students and alumni — Woodline Joseph,...