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PAGE 48 VOL. 75, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2012 MISSISSIPPI LIBRARIEStions, seamless computing integratingaccess, media and software applications, acultural center, and space that would serveas a information commons.Therefore, the first lesson learned was, toquote an old adage, “Don’t count yourchickens before they are hatched.” Thelibrary staff had high hopes for the newlyexpanded-renovated space and had not consideredother ideas. However, once the dialogbegan between the architect (DuvallDecker), university officials, MississippiState Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL)officials, and the State of Mississippi Bureauof Buildings officials regarding concerns, itwas discovered that some issues were notgoing to be addressed due a funding shortage.The focus was now on addressinglibrary programmatic needs within the original53,000 square footage instead of the72,000 expanded-renovation version. Thefocus turned to ensuring that the needs ofour services areas were met. We wanted toensure that we addressed the redesigning ofreference, circulation, serials, audio-visual,and the administrative office in order toensure adequate work space and room forgrowth to all service areas.The library was also concerned aboutthe space for archives, library instruction,video conferencing, and proper library signage.It was determined that it is advisableto have a strong relationship with the architect;particularly, if the architect is conversantwith the day-to-day operations of alibrary as Duvall-Decker was. The architectscan serve as a strong advocate who canarticulate the library’s needs to those in IHLand the Bureau of Buildings who may notunderstand the library’s programmaticfunctions and may assume that any amountof space will do for library service areas. Itwas during the initial 2005 expanded-renovatedJames H. White Library project that aprecedent analysis was conducted of severallibraries (The Joseph Cook Library-Universityof Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg,MS; The Library Commission, Jackson,MS; The N. Murrey Atkins Library-Universityof North Carolina, Charlotte, NC; TheBostock Library Duke University, Durham,NC; and The D. H. Hill Library-NorthCarolina State University, Raleigh, NC) toascertain the success and lessons learned atthese libraries. It was discovered that all ofthe libraries had their own unique qualitieswhich meant that various voices were at thetable in the design.However, as with all construction projects,mishaps happen. During the project,the administrators at the university leveland the library changed hands and all theinitial key players were not replaced by successorswhich caused library staff to worrythat the initial purpose for the projectwould be lost. Another lesson that waslearned was to ensure that all key players areon board and quickly brought up to speedif they are new. Other aspects of the precedentanalysis found that all libraries allowedeating and drinking and had some sort ofcoffee shop. Durability and user friendlinessaspects were carefully implementedthroughout each library. As this is somethingthat we want to keep at the center ofour renovation project, we were careful topay attention to what lessons were learnedduring these projects. The other issues thatwere addressed were technology enhancements,collection capacity, new furnishingsand equipment, a new entrance and façadefor the front of the building, and the inclusionof an Internet café. Once these issueswere solidified, library staff began to take alook at the architectural history of thebuilding to see what if anything should beincluded in an effort to remember andhonor the past.ARCHITECTURAL HISTORYThe James H. White Library’s originalconstruction was completed in 1971, occupiedand dedicated in 1973, and named inhonor of the university’s founding fatherand first president. The existing James HerbertWhite Library was constructed by M.M. Lockhart Construction Company withBrumfield & Craig from Jackson as thearchitect. The original planning for thelibrary started in the mid 1960s and culminatedin an award-winning functionallibrary at a cost of $1,227,655. The buildingwas originally designed to house160,000 books and to seat 750 students.The building includes 53,000 square feetdivided into two stories (see figure 2). It isconstructed with concrete columns andwaffle slabs. The floor-to-floor heights are15’4” on the first floor and 14’8” on thesecond floor providing enough room for theintroduction of new infrastructure systems.The existing column spacing is 22’7”Figure 2 – James H. White Library, 1973.(which is not ideal for book stack spacingefficiency), but does provide a flexible floorplan to accommodate library functions.The existing structure was designed for traditionallibrary stack structural loading.The basic structure appeared to be in verygood condition and represented a valuableasset for the renovation project.Once the original expansion-renovationproject had begun, the intent was to expandoutward. However, after the original expansion-renovationproject came to a halt, welearned that the expansion outward wouldnot happen. Thus, we inquired aboutadding additional levels. As library staffwere going through the architectural historyof the library, it was discovered thatbecause of original construction, we couldnot add additional levels to our currentbuilding which contributed to the cancellationof the expansion plans. The amount oftime and effort put forth on the expansioncould have been better spent on other issuesif the history of the structure would havebeen determined earlier. It was a hard lessonto learn but, it is best to know the history ofyour library to determine what can and cannotbe done to it. Our next steps were toensure that the newly renovated design andbuilding features were met to our specificationswith a focus on the library users.LIBRARY DESIGN AND BUILDINGFEATURESThe planned library is a comprehensiverenovation of the existing James H. WhiteLibrary. The renovation will fully addressthe needs and aspirations identified in theprogramming phase. The library constructionwas planned to occur in two phases tokeep the current library functioning as longas possible. The first phase utilized therecently renovated Academic Skills Building,which is immediately adjacent to thelibrary, to create a temporary library. The