Yale University Library News

Bass Library staff, services, and collections will move to temporary locations in Sterling Library May 9

entrance to Bass Library from Sterling tunnel
May 2, 2019

All staff, services, and collections of the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Library will move to temporary locations in Sterling Memorial Library beginning May 9 in preparation for the planned renovation of Bass Library this summer.  The move will take several days. Here are the details:

  • A temporary Bass service desk will open by Tuesday, May 14, in the Periodical Reading Room on the first floor of Sterling (next to the Gilmore Music Library). This will be a service point for circulation and information services, as well as a pickup location for Bass Library holds, Borrow Direct, Interlibrary Loans, Summer course reserves, and Bass Media Equipment.
  • The periodical collection will be moved to the space at the back of the Sterling Nave (to the left of the stack entrance doors, currently occupied by scanners). The periodicals will be unavailable on the afternoon of May 8 while staff are moving them; they will be accessible in their new location beginning May 9. The print copies of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and New Haven Register will be available in the Starr Reading Room from May 9 on.
  • The current Bass Library collections will be shelved in Sterling during the renovation. The collections will not be available for browsing while they are being moved (May 9 - 15), but staff will retrieve titles as needed. (Use the “Request recall or delivery” link in Quicksearch or Orbis.) After May 15, Yale community members will be able to browse these collections again on the fourth floor of the Sterling stacks.
  • Emily Horning, director of Undergraduate Research Education and Outreach, will have a temporary office in Sterling Room 226. The Technology Troubleshooting Office will be relocated from Bass to Room B59 in the Wright Reading Room (Sterling lower level, below the Nave). Other Bass staff will be based in the Periodical Reading Room.
    The full transition of services, collections, and staff to Sterling will take several days. During that time, patrons may bring requests and service needs to the Information Desk in the Sterling Nave. Check library hours before visiting, and note the abbreviated schedule on Monday, May 20, due to Commencement.
  • The library will not be set up to check out cameras and other media equipment May 9 - 18. Members of the Yale community who need media equipment during that time may take it out in advance on an extended loan, as long as they are available to pick it up before May 9 and return it on or after May 19. More information is available at https://reservations.yale.edu/bmec/.
  • Thain Café and the book drops at the entrance of Bass will also close for the summer on May 8. After this date, library materials should be returned to the book drops at the entrances of Sterling.
  • The Technology Troubleshooting Office will close at 8:45 p.m. on May 8 and reopen in Sterling B59 on May 21. Students who need help while the office is closed should email student.technology@yale.edu.
  • Locker space for personal items will not be available until the renovation is complete, but students may reserve shelf space for summer book storage in one of four Sterling reading rooms. Email askyale@gmail.com for details.
  • Library users requiring study or work space over the summer should consult library study spaces in Sterling and other libraries on campus. 

Originally known as Cross Campus Library, Bass Library was last renovated in 2007. This summer's project will increase study seating for the growing undergraduate population and establish a smaller, updated print collection that is more closely aligned with the university's undergraduate curriculum. Lesser used and older titles in the collection will continue to be available in the stacks of Sterling Library, adjacent and connected to Bass. More information about the project can be found at https://guides.library.yale.edu/bass2019/home.

    A limited “soft open” of the renovated library is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 28, so that students can access the study and work space. The official opening, with all services, staff, and the renewed collection in place, is planned for Oct. 1.