Albertsons Library Restores 11-Month Gap as Third Floor Books Return

The third floor of Albertsons Library at Boise State University remains closed while staff re-shelve nearly one million books, a process expected to continue until the middle of the spring semester.

The floor has been inaccessible since October of last year when a ceiling pipe burst and sent water onto the level below. That incident triggered an 11-month closure that affected both the third and fourth floors. Repairs included new carpet, fresh paint, and ceiling work on both levels.

Natalie Castillo, the access services manager, explained that the insurance payout for the repairs took a full year to arrive. Once funds were available, the physical restoration began. However, replacing the carpet required removing all shelving units. This forced the library to pull every book from the third and fourth floors for storage.

Electrical work blocked employee access to the building for much of the summer. Now that construction is finished, student workers are leading the effort to return the collection. Anna Lindaman, an English Teaching major, described the daily routine. Workers unpack books from boxes, place them on carts, and scan each item to verify its status in the database. They then sort the volumes by classification system and place them back on the shelves.

During the major repairs, stored books were listed as in-process and non-requestable in the online catalog. Castillo noted that once a book is scanned and returned to a shelf, it becomes visible as available. Patrons can then place holds through the catalog even if the item is on the third floor.

While the third floor awaits its official reopening, the fourth floor has reopened as a group study space. Library staff used student feedback surveys to prioritize collaborative work areas and flexible seating for this level. Castillo and her team installed new seating rated for longer periods of comfort. They also began renting large electric batteries to students, allowing laptops to charge away from traditional wall outlets.

Annabelle Walthall, a health studies major, praised the new fourth-floor setup. She said she enjoys the river views and the variety of study rooms available. She added that there are many options for where to sit, though she wished for more seating near the north-facing windows.