On Mar. 17, Tufts' music library will close its doors until the spring semester of 2007, when it will re-open in Tufts' new music building.
Currently housed in the basement of Aidekman auditorium, the music library long ago outgrew its current facility.
"The music library was out of space and completely over capacity," music library assistant Abigail Al-Doory said. "This should have been done 10 years ago, with the amount of material we have here."
Space was not the only reason the library's basement location had been problematic.
"One of the main reasons the renovations are taking place is to insure no more damage will be done to the Aidekman basement due to flooding," music librarian Michael Rogan said.
The basement flooded last year, submerging the entire music library and causing thousands of dollars in damage.
The Aidekman basement will be completely refurbished as part of the $25-million construction project currently revamping Tufts' performing arts facilities.
Improvements to the building's lower levels will begin with the complete demolition of the basement's concrete foundation, though the rest of the building will remain intact and in-use throughout the construction.
Following the removal of the foundation, a new drainage system will be installed under the building to prevent future water damage.
After the new concrete base is poured, the space will be rebuilt with improved practice and teaching studios as well as new ensemble rehearsal rooms.
According to Al-Doory, the music library and classrooms currently located in the basement will be moved to the new music building, which will be connected to Cohen by a glass corridor.
While the new music building will not open until spring 2007, the new Aidekman facilities are scheduled for completion on Sept. 6 of this year.
"So far, everything has been going forward on schedule," Al-Doory said.
The library's materials will be packed and stored until the library re-opens, making it more difficult for Tufts students to access music material in the coming months.
Select items from the library's collections will be located in Tisch Library, including reserve materials, media reserve, reference, and music periodicals.
For other resources, a variety of on-line and inter-school resources are available, Al-Doory said.
"We expect students to use inter-library loan between schools, BLC virtual catalogue, Document Delivery's ILLIAD service, and to look to teachers for help with student research," she said.
"A lot of people are surprised at how long the music library will be closed," student librarian Rachel Taranta said. "The people who use it will miss it. There are always people coming and going, and a lot of people from classes and ensembles that are here every day."
Taranta and the 20 other students who work at the music library will retain their jobs when Aidekman closes for renovation, but they expect to work significantly fewer hours.
In addition to the music library and classroom space, the new music building will also contain numerous music offices, a world music room, and a recital hall.
"The recital hall is acoustically designed for smaller ensemble recitals, such as jazz groups," Rogan said. "This is the first time that Tufts will have an entire building dedicated to music."
