Library Collections Annex Begins Operations!

The Library Collections Annex, the newest part of the Brown University Library system, will have its official ribbon-cutting ceremony by President Ruth Simmons on February 3, 2006. Located at 10 Park Lane in Providence RI, about 4 miles from campus, the Annex is a high density storage facility with a capacity of 1.7 million volumes. Its opening marks a decade-long planning process, three years of development, and nearly a year of construction and renovation. A staff of four have been hired and trained and have been working at the site for several months processing material from the on-campus library's overcrowded collections.

The first overcrowded section to be worked is the Bs on Level A, and a visit to the northwest corner of that floor reveals a veritable sea of pink flags (see photo at right). These are the first on-campus books that will be sent to the Annex beginning next month. More will follow as the process proceeds to Level 4, Level 3 and Level B over the next 6 months. During this period, materials from the John Hay Library and Orwig Music Library will also begin to flow to the Annex.

Processing is underway at the Sciences Library to clear 3-5 floors for the coming 24-hour Friedman Study Center. Electronic delivery of articles from journals which have been moved to the Annex is now available. See step-by-step instructions.