The library’s 3rd floor is again open for access. Anyone can now access all areas and items on the library’s 2nd and 3rd floors.
The construction project to replace ceiling, lights and ductwork on the library’s 2nd and 3rd floors is now complete. This project was funded by an energy conservation grant secured by UWG Campus Planning and Development. The work provides much better lighting and will result in significant energy savings for the campus.
Thanks to Tim McWhorter and Lynn Agan for successfully coordinating the differing needs of the campus community, library staff and construction contractor. Thanks to the employees of Latimer and Hughes Contracting for doing good work and working well with us. Thanks to Andy Freer, his staff, Margaret Hughes and Travis Hylbak for effecting furniture, computer and office moves, often with too short notice. Thanks to Mary Frances McClure for preparing the floors for our use. Thanks to Chris Carroll, Margot Davis, Katie Mitchell and all the library staff for their patience and professionalism at continuing to provide library services throughout the construction period and for developing good work-arounds.
And thanks to the campus community for your patience as we continue to provide improvements to the library’s aging building.

Photo: Dean Sullivan
Previous Information about this project
Contractors began early Monday morning, July 13, to replace the ceiling tile and lighting on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the library. This is an extensive project that will be phased by sections on each floor, one section being done at a time. When a section is being done, it will be draped-off with plastic sheeting and signage.
Patrons will not be allowed access to the section until it is finished. The stacks in these sections will be covered with plastic sheeting to protect the materials. Designated library staff will access these sections to retrieve or return materials. Signage will be placed throughout the library to alert patrons not to enter the area and to go to the Circulation Desk if they need access to materials in the closed-off section. Please share any recommendations or ideas you have as we work through this project and we will change these procedures as needed.
The work will involve removal of the existing tile, lighting and supporting metalwork some of which will be dropped down a chute from the second floor window which is just above the secondary loading dock to the left as you face the library’s back staff entrance/main loading dock.
Some of the existing tile, lighting and metalwork will be recycled via buckets and drums taken out by UWG staff via the staff elevator.
At this time, library staff can continue to use the back staff entrance, receive deliveries and use the library’s normal loading dock.
This project will be very disruptive in many ways. We will have to relocate all furniture and computers on the 2nd and 3rd floors as we work through each section — this includes offices, work-areas and patron tables and seating. The workers will use nail guns that fire a charge to anchor the new framing system — this will cause a repeating sound like shooting-off a .22 caliber gun in the building. Dust will be disrupted when the old ceiling is removed. The air system has some filtration that may remove this dust before it gets redistributed throughout the building. There will possibly be bad odors released, also. And when the ceiling tile is removed, the building’s air system will probably not work correctly which will cause variations in temperature throughout the building. Workers will be coming and going, using the staff elevator and back entrance.
The good news is that after this project is completed, the library will have a better-looking and more easily-accessible ceiling and better, more energy-efficient lighting. The expense and inconvenience will be well worth it.
Here are contacts for this project:
Chris Huff, Ingram Library
(678)839-6366 chuff@westga.edu
For general information, concerns, recommendations, questions…
Tim McWhorter, UWG Campus Planning and Development
(678)839-6373 timmc@westga.edu
If you cannot contact Chris and think you should not wait.
UWG Risk Management/EHS
(678)839-6277 safety@westga.edu
If you notice anything you think is unsafe but not an emergency.
Public Safety
(678)839-6000
To report any emergency.