General Renovation Information

What is being renovated?

The 1928 library building—West Campus’s original library, designed by the Horace Trumbauer architectural film—and its 1948 addition, including the Biddle Rare Book Room suite, will be renovated. This space, located at the heart of Duke’s West Campus, is home to the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Read more about this final stage of the Perkins Project.

When will these buildings reopen?

The renovations will be complete and the 1928 and 1948 buildings will reopen as the brand-new David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library in the summer of 2015.

What will happen to the Biddle Rare Book Room suite?

The Rubenstein Library's Biddle Rare Book Room suite and its furnishings, a gift from Mary Duke Biddle, are included in the renovation project. The renovations will preserve the character of the rooms, but will allow for the rooms to be open to the public as permanent exhibition space. New, state-of-the-art shelving and exhibit cases will allow for Rubenstein Library treasures to be displayed safely and securely.

What will happen to the Gothic Reading Room?

The Gothic Reading Room is also included in the renovation project. Renovations will preserve the character of the room—which author William Styron, '47 called his "sanctuary"—so that it continues to be a comfortable and inviting space for studying and campus events.

How can I keep up with the renovation’s progress?

	Visit the Rubenstein Library's blog, The Devil’s Tale
	Visit the Perkins Project website
	Like the Rubenstein Library on Facebook
	Check out photos of the renovation on the Rubenstein Library's Flickr photostream

How can I support the renovation?

Thank you! Learn more about supporting the Libraries here.

For Rubenstein Library Researchers

Can I still do research at the Rubenstein Library during the renovation?

Yes! The Rubenstein Library’s reading room, our public research space, will move to a temporary location on the 3rd floor of Perkins Library for the duration of the renovation (January 2013-summer 2015). Our reading room hours will remain the same. Please read the information below to help you prepare for your visit.

When will the Rubenstein Library’s reading room move from its current location to the 3rd floor of Perkins?

We will be closing our current reading room space (The Dalton-Brand Reading Room, Perkins 103) on Monday, December 17, 2012. We will reopen in our new location on Monday, January 7, 2013. Staff will be moving their workspaces and collection materials during this time, so we will be unable to accommodate research visits and may require extra time to respond to phone or e-mail inquiries.

How will the renovation affect my research visit?

Please note that we will be closed from Monday, December 17, 2012 through Wednesday, January 6th, 2013, and will not be able to accommodate research visits during this time.

During the renovation, our collection materials will be stored at our off-site Library Service Center. Please send an e-mail to our Research Services librarians via our "Ask a Question" web form at least one week in advance of your research visit to ensure that your collections will be available upon your arrival.

If no advance arrangements are made, or if additional collections need to be requested, visiting researchers should anticipate a one day retrieval period before their collections can be made available in the reading room.

Classes, Events, & Exhibits

I would like to arrange a visit to the Rubenstein Library for my class or my community group. Will this be possible during the renovation?

Yes! Our temporary space will have a dedicated room for instruction sessions and group presentations. We will be happy to welcome Duke University classes, classes from other schools and universities, and community groups. Please send an e-mail via our "Ask a Question" web form to connect with a Research Services librarian who will work with your class or group.

Will I still be able to reserve the Biddle Rare Book Room, the Gothic Reading Room and the Breedlove Room for events and meetings?

No. These rooms are included in the renovation project.

• The Biddle Rare Book Room suite will close for renovation on December 17, 2012.
• The Gothic Reading Room and the Breedlove Room will close for renovation on February 28, 2012.

These rooms will not be able to be reserved for events or meetings until after the completion of the renovation. They will reopen in the summer of 2015.

What will happen to the Perkins Gallery, the Rare Book Room Hallway Cases, and the Photography Gallery?

The Duke University Libraries will continue limited exhibition programming during the renovation.

• The Rare Book Room Hallway Cases will stop exhibiting collection materials in June 2012.
• The Photography Gallery will end its exhibit programming in December 2012.
• The Perkins Gallery will have exhibits until the spring of 2013.

There may be possibilities for mini-exhibits or non-traditional exhibits during the 2013-2015 renovation period. For more information, e-mail Meg Brown, exhibits coordinator, at meg.brown@duke.edu.