Plans are now under way to completely renovate the Main Library and possibly merge some branch libraries into the building.

Wes Boomgaarden, project manager of the renovation, said the time has come for the building, which has overlooked The Oval for nearly a century, to be upgraded.

“We plan to renovate the entire library — top to bottom. This is one of the largest academic building projects undertaken by the university,” he said.

Most of the funding will be from the state, but the university must raise $30 million from private investors, Boomgaarden said.

“So far we have raised $11 million, so we are well on our way,” he said. Joe Branin, director of libraries, said space may be added by building one or two wings, adding a new entrance on the west side of the building and renovating the inside of the book tower.

Boomgaarden said some changes occurring inside the library may include expanding the computer lab and coffee bar and adding conference rooms and group study areas.

Additional changes may include bringing some of the branch libraries into the Main Library.

“We have made no definite decisions, but we are thinking of consolidating some of the special collections into the Main Library,” he said.

The special collections he refers to include the Cartoon Research Library and the Theatre Research Institute, which are being considered so that they are more accessible to students and will be able to share reading rooms, Branin said.

Lucy Caswell, of the Cartoon Research Library, said she thinks bringing all the special branches together is a good idea.

“This is not a done deal and still up in the air, but there are many advantages to being together,” she said. “We all have the same goal, to improve and enhance library services.”

Planning for the renovation began in 2001 with a feasibility study on how much it would cost and has now moved into the detailed planning phase, Boomgaarden said.

An architect has been hired, and four different schemes of what changes may occur have been planned.

“We want to bring back the old grand reference hall,” Boomgaarden said.

Branin said no definite plans have been made, but he estimates a cost of $100 million.

Branin said actual renovations will not take place until 2005 at the earliest.

“Our problem now is what to do when the renovation is started. We must decide how (the library) will be operated when part of it is not available,” he said.

Boomgaarden said while plans are still undecided, he is looking forward to the change.

“The library will be radically changed. This is going to be a great project,” he said.

Boomgaarden said any suggestions for improvements are welcome.

“We are having a hard time getting much interest because it seems so far off,” he said. “We encourage students and faculty to be involved and give us their ideas of what should be done.”

Students wishing to make suggestions can do so at the library’s Web site, www.lib.ohio-state.edu.