Inauguration of the Library's New Wing
Inauguration of the new wing of the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library videoThe University inaugurated its new wing in the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, adding an area of 48,000 square feet. The inauguration ceremony was held during the events of the University’s 39th Meeting of the Board of Governors and was attended by Younes and Soraya Nazarian, whose donation has enabled the construction of the new wing.
The University of Haifa’s Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library is home to 2.3 million items and is the largest academic library in Israel. Over time, the building, which was planned over 30 years ago across 120,000 square feet, became cramped with the growing range of books, journals, multimedia materials, etc. About four years ago, the University began building the new Library wing, according to a plan drawn up by architect Asaf Lerman. The unique plan set out to build the new wing alongside the existing Library in the space between it and the University's main street. In order to do so, deep excavations had to be carried out.
“It’s incredible how just four years ago, we stood twenty meters above where we stand today,” explained Vice President for Administration, who headed the entire project. “The hard work to make this happen was guided by the University’s engineer and Head of Building and Maintenance at the University, Nabi Amar; and I am happy to say that even as all of the construction was going on, the Library continued to provide its full services to students and researchers,” he said.
The new wing, which is entirely below street level, contains offices, reading rooms, collections and even an auditorium, and will soon include a cafeteria. Although the structure itself is underground, the unique plan enabled the construction of an open patio that resembles a city boulevard offering seating areas and gardens, so that students can take a break from their reading and step out for a refreshing break in the open air, quiet and green space. The next phase will will include renovation of the existing library building.
President of the University, Prof. Aaron Ben-Ze’ev visiting the new Library wing with Younes Nazarian
