Hofstra’s Axinn Library will be externally renovated for the first time in 60 years. Before now, the renovations to the structure have been limited to the interior. Joseph Barkwill, the vice president for facilities and operations at Hofstra, said that these renovations are overdue. // Photo Courtesy of Joseph Barkwill.

Since Hofstra University’s Axinn Library opened in 1966, renovations have been limited to its interior. Hofstra administrators are looking to change that this year.

A renovation process for the library began the week of Monday, April 3, and will continue until November, according to Joseph Barkwill, the vice president for facilities and operations at Hofstra.

Barkwill believes that the renovation is necessary.

“From a condition assessment, it needed it,” Barkwill said. “It hadn’t been touched in 60 years.”

The building currently has cracks and exposed rebar, both of which are expected to be repaired during the construction process.

The renovation project will also involve the installation of energy efficient windows to replace the current ones on the third through 10th floors.

Barkwill said the existing windows allow drafts to pass through gaps and are worn, having been exposed to different weather conditions over the years. Barkwill believes the new windows will be suitable both practically and financially.

“From an energy standpoint, you’re not getting cold air penetrating into the building,” he said. “It’s reducing your heating costs and AC costs.”

Destiny Waddy, a freshman psychology major, is excited about the prospect of new windows.

“I feel like that would really bring in a lot of light, and it would just be a brighter scene for all of us,” Waddy said. “It makes us want to go to the library.”

Part of the project will include determining the purpose of the tenth floor, which currently doubles as a study space and event venue. In addition to replacing the floor’s windows, new carpets will be installed.

“I think the provost and the librarians and student groups will have a conversation as to what is the best use of the 10th floor. The options are open, and we’ll have more conversation on that,” Barkwill said. “Once we do all the windows and replace the carpet then it’s just a matter of ordering the furniture for that use.”

Evelyn Mejia, an MBA graduate student, thinks cozier study spaces should be added to the 10th floor.

“I personally would say they should probably create more study rooms,” Mejia said. “I just feel like it doesn’t feel as comfortable as, like, say, the second floor of the library or even the basement floor.”

Barkwill said the plan is to first replace existing windows before improving the library’s exterior. Once those processes are complete, an LED light of Hofstra’s logo will be installed near the top of the building.

The construction schedule will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Friday. The library will remain open, but the 10th floor will not be in operation.

Barkwill said that windows will be installed in study rooms on a floor-by-floor basis to limit noise and other possible inconveniences to one floor.

In addition, some library staff might have to temporarily vacate their work spaces while new windows are being installed, according to Barkwill. He added that he and his team will work with library employees on this matter.

While the focus in the coming months will be on the Axinn Library, Barkwill and his colleagues have started thinking about making similar renovations to the Unispan and student center. He believes that renovations to all three structures would create a sense of uniformity.

“We’re looking at this as a three-phase project,” Barkwill said. “The library and the Unispan and the student center were constructed at the same time in the same materials.”

Richard Leddy, the assistant vice president for engineering construction and central utilities, believes that – in addition to the library’s structural improvement needs – a makeover would remind people of the building’s importance to Hofstra.

“It’s a very prominent building when you’re approaching the campus from any direction, so we thought it really needed the attention because of where it is,” Leddy said.

Barkwill is optimistic that the renovation will have a lasting impact.

“From a maintenance standpoint, it was required. We have to maintain our structures,” he said. “It’s been 60 years since this building was built, and we really haven’t touched the exterior to this degree. And hopefully after we’re done, it’ll be another 60 years.”