The Susan and William Yarmuth Jewish Studies Reading Room Opens in Ekstrom Library

Posted: March 23, 2022 | Author: | Filed under: Books, Collections, Ekstrom Library, Ekstrom Third Floor Renovation, Louisville, Louisville History, New Items, People, University of Louisville Libraries | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

To honor the local Jewish community and provide special presentation, reflection and quiet study space for the UofL campus, The Susan and William Yarmuth Jewish Studies Reading Room officially opened on Ekstrom Library’s 3rd Floor with a ceremony on March 20. 

The new space showcases the Libraries’ Jewish Studies collection, and features the Deborah and Rabbi Robert Slosberg Collection, which consists of the personal library the couple amassed over decades of serving and leading Jewish congregations.

Shown are Libraries Dean Bob Fox, UofL President Lori Gonzalez, William Yarmuth, Sue Yarmuth, Deborah Slosberg and Rabbi Slossberg standing before a red ribbon prior to cutting it at a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new Jewish Studies Reading Room.

Libraries Dean Bob Fox, UofL President Lori Gonzalez, William Yarmuth, Sue Yarmuth, Deborah Slosberg and Rabbi Slossberg at a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new Jewish Studies Reading Room.

“We are excited to open the new Jewish Studies Reading Room and are grateful for the generous donations that allowed us to fully complete the room and open it to the public,” said Libraries Dean Bob Fox. “We hope that the room will serve to inspire future generations of scholars to greater success.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony and room dedication included remarks from Interim President Lori Gonzalez, William and Susan Yarmuth, Rabbi Slosberg and Libraries Dean Fox before closing with a mezuzah dedication. A mezuzah is a small scroll inscribed with prayers and verses from the Torah and attached in a case near the opening of a home or building as a sign of faith as a constant reminder of God’s presence. As instructed in the Torah, Jews will often touch the mezuzah as they go through the door. In the Yarmuth Reading Room, it is located on the wall to the right upon entry. 

The 2,600-square-foot space features floor-to-ceiling windows and offers one of the most scenic views on campus. Along with the Deborah and Rabbi Robert Slosberg Collection, the space features a drop-down screen, a built-in projection and sound system and Wi-Fi. It also includes a glass wall, which includes display cases for UofL’s Jewish Studies Program, part of the Department of Comparative Humanities, to use to highlight its collections.

The Susan and William Yarmuth Jewish Studies Reading Room will be used for reflection, study space, public events and guest speakers. The newly designed room can seat up to 42.

Ekstrom’s Renovated Third Floor Opens

Posted: November 12, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Ekstrom Library, Ekstrom Third Floor Renovation, University of Louisville Libraries | Leave a comment

Minor touch-ups, furniture delivery to continue in coming months

Ekstrom Library’s newly renovated third floor is now open. Visitors will find modern study spaces, a large wall of windows, a reading room, and a dedicated graduate student area. The entire floor will remain a quiet study area.

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While most of the project is complete, workers will complete a few final touch-ups to some areas. Furniture delivery has been delayed and will continue throughout the year and into the Spring semester.

To make way for the renovation, some of Ekstrom’s collection housed on the third floor was relocated or removed. Many books are now on the fourth floor, and some are in high-density storage, or the Robotic Retrieval System (RRS).  Patrons who are unable to find books or other materials in the library’s collection may use our Inter Library Loan system.

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The Libraries will continue to raise funds to complete its proposed Jewish Studies Reading Room in space formerly occupied by the Writing Center. Libraries Development Director Matt Wyatt is working with the UofL Jewish Studies program and the local Jewish community of Louisville to fund an inspiring venue for local and national lectures, presentations and other events.

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To find out more about the project, please see this website.

East Entrance to Ekstrom Library Closed Beginning July 29th

Posted: July 25, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Ekstrom Library, Ekstrom Third Floor Renovation | Leave a comment

Beginning Monday, July 29, the Ekstrom Library East entrance doors facing the Quad will be closed due to renovations.  Until further notice, please enter Ekstrom Library via the West entrance doors facing Third Street.

East entrance to Ekstrom Library

East entrance to Ekstrom Library

West entrance of Ekstrom Library

West entrance of Ekstrom Library

Updates: Ekstrom Third Floor Renovation

Posted: July 1, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Ekstrom Library, Ekstrom Third Floor Renovation, University of Louisville, University of Louisville Libraries | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Following are the latest updates for our third floor renovation.

July 23

Ekstrom Library will be closed for business on Saturday, August 3rd (for the entire day) and will re-open at the regularly scheduled Sunday, August 4th opening time (12 noon).

The closure is due to the Physical Plant Electrical Department’s scheduled power outage.  Physical Plant workers will be finalizing equipment installation and 3rd floor renovation crews will be on-site working. No one else will not be permitted to enter the building August 3rd.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation.

July 15

  • Electrical work was been slightly behind schedule but is almost caught up.
  • Framing is also slightly behind but they anticipate making up time with extra crews working. The framing and drywall surround on the elevator shaft will begin soon.
  • Painting in the north area is scheduled to start Wednesday the 17th. The acoustic ceiling treatment will also be applied.
  • Carpet installation may start as early as two weeks from now if the delivery remains on schedule.
  • The brick veneer removal work and new glass installation on the east facade of the building are now scheduled to begin the week of July 29th. This is likely going to take 25 days to complete. This work will likely cause minor inconveniences in entering the east side of the building when classes begin. We will share more information as the timeline and details are clarified.

June 27

  • Drilling should be completed by June 28.
  • Rough-ins for plumbing, electrical and HVAC connections will continue on both floors.
  • Beginning Monday July 1 and through July 5, crews will install electrical conduits and other wiring on the northeast quadrant of the third floor. On those days, access to Current Periodicals and Print Reference areas will be limited between the hours of 5 p.m.-7 a.m.
  • Exterior façade work has been delayed for some weeks as the crews await an order for glass. The façade process is expected to take at least several weeks, and may involve a restriction in access to the east entrance.

June 20

  • Demolition work is nearly completed on the third floor; demolition is in progress on the first floor.  
  • Workers continue to frame and rough in plumbing, electrical and HVAC connections on both floors.
  • First floor core drilling is still on schedule for June 26-29, during the day and evening, with heavy equipment brought in to the first floor.
  • While primary core drilling on the third floor is mostly completed, crews need to drill in two small areas next week. Again, you may experience vibration and some noise during these times.
  • Within the next two weeks, crews will begin removing bricks from the exterior façade. This process is expected to take at least several weeks. Due to the nature of the work, access to the east entrance may be restricted during this time.

June 13

  • Next week, construction crews will install dust barriers around the REACH and DMS offices on Ekstrom Library’s first floor in anticipation of floor core drilling.
  • From June 18-20, crews will drill on the third floor during the day and evening, bringing in heavy equipment to the first floor.
  • First floor core drilling will occur June 26-29, during the day and evening. Again, heavy equipment will be brought in to the first floor.
  • You may experience vibration and some noise during these times.

As in all construction projects, dates may shift as work commences. We will let you know as soon as possible when we find out about any changes. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Please direct questions, concerns or other responses to eks1reno@louisville.edu (recipients are Bruce Keisling, Andy Clark and Carolyn Dowd). However, if you’d like to provide feedback anonymously, you may use this form: http://louisville.libguides.com/forms/suggestion