Next available on Sunday 2–10 p.m.

Additional Options

Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics (AMP) Library Update – Fall 2019!

October 11, 2019

The UW-Madison Libraries have embarked on a major effort to transform campus libraries to better meet the changing needs of the campus community. The Physics, Astronomy, and Math libraries are undergoing the first phase of a consolidation project, which will go through 2020. This is a closely coordinated effort with the Physics, Astronomy, and Math departments, as well as the College of Letters & Science. When complete, there will be a combined Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics Library.

Staff working to prepare and protect collections prior to moving them before the renovation of the Physics Library space. Once renovated, the space will become the combined Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics (AMP) Library.

We encourage you to visit the Libraries’ website for information about this transition including an FAQ page, updates on the Physics, Astronomy, and Math libraries’ websites, as well as the new combined AMP library site.

“This is an outstanding opportunity to reimagine our library spaces and services in collaboration with faculty, staff, and students in three departments on campus,” said Deborah Helman, Director of Science and Engineering Libraries at UW-Madison. “This is one of several projects the Libraries are working on across campus to enhance and advance the important work and research of our faculty, staff, and students, both immediately, and into the future.”

The Libraries are dedicated to maintaining a staff presence and continuing to provide robust library services. As we move forward, we want to ensure those using these libraries are informed of the changes and have information on how to continue to access library services, resources, materials, and staff throughout the transformation.

Here’s an overview of the project timeline:

Fall 2019

Open Libraries: Astronomy, Math

  • Math Library reopened for the fall semester.
  • Math Library closes permanently on December 23, 2019.
  • Some collections work has already been completed and will be ongoing throughout the fall. Collections work will be done while spaces are closed. We expect transferred collections to remain requestable.

Spring 2020

Libraries open: Astronomy Library, NEW: Astronomy, Mathematics and Physics Library

  • Astronomy, Mathematics and Physics Library, the combined library, opens on January 16, 2020, in the current Physics Library space.
  • Astronomy Library closes permanently on May 15, 2020.

Why the Transformation?

The UW-Madison Libraries have embarked on a major effort to transform campus libraries to better meet the changing needs of the campus community. This is a closely coordinated effort with the Physics, Astronomy, and Math departments, as well as the College of Letters & Science. As we move forward, we want to ensure those using these libraries are informed of the changes and have information on how to continue to access library services, resources, materials, and staff throughout the transformation.

FAQ

Books in the Physics Library are organized prior to being temporarily relocated so renovations to the Physics Library space can begin. It will reopen in January 2020 as the new combined AMP (Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics) Library.

WHERE WILL MATERIALS FROM PHYSICS, ASTRONOMY, AND MATH GO DURING THE TRANSITION? Many materials from the three libraries will be placed in the merged location, while some will be transferred to alternative shelving based on the frequency of use, and or electronically available. Close coordination with the departments continues to take place to determine whether materials remain in the new library space, or are sent to alternative shelving.

WHY THE NEED FOR CHANGE? This transition of the Physics, Astronomy, and Math library spaces are part of the Libraries’ overall consolidation efforts across campus. It is a closely coordinated effort with the Physics, Astronomy, and Math departments, as well as the College of Letters & Science. This activity will provide departments with the opportunity to reimagine and update the spaces where the Astronomy and Math Libraries are currently located in order to create spaces that meet new student and faculty needs. The Math Department is in the process of applying for NSF funding to start a new math institute centered in the current Math Library space. Alternatively, the Math Library will be converted to offices and collaborative research spaces to meet the needs of the department’s ongoing expansion. The Libraries will still provide important library resources, services, and materials to patrons. More specific details on the visions for these spaces will be shared in collaboration with the departments.

WHERE WILL INFORMATION BE SHARED ABOUT THE TRANSITION, MATERIALS ACCESSIBILITY, ETC.? Updates will be made regularly on the Libraries’ website Rethinking Libraries page, the Physics, Astronomy, and Math individual websites until after collection work is complete, and eventually on the new combined AMP library site. As always, the information will also be shared on the Libraries news page, through departmental emails, social media channels, and coordinated through campus news (when appropriate).