As part of ongoing facilities updates in or around Mervyn Sterne Library, some areas usually open to patron use may be affected temporarily. Updates include improvements for accessibility, closures for ongoing nearby campus construction, and preparation for planned upgrades to Sterne facilities.
“We are of course working closely with UAB Facilities to minimize any potential impact to students, employees and visitors, and we are grateful for the patience of UAB Libraries’ patrons as we work through these projects,” said Patricia West, assistant dean for User Access in UAB Libraries.
Find more information below on upcoming or ongoing projects.
13th Street South between University Boulevard and Sterne Plaza: Ongoing
The northbound right lane of 13th Street South from University Boulevard to the traffic light adjacent to Sterne Plaza is currently closed for construction of the Science and Engineering Phase II Building. Work is underway to install additional stairs and an accessible ramp to the Sterne Plaza along 13th Street South. The stairs immediately adjacent to Sterne Library connecting 13th to Sterne Plaza will remain open.
13th Street South entrance: Late May/Early June
The Humanities Building and the pedestrian footbridge that connects the Humanities Building to the second floor of Sterne Library will be demolished this summer. Thirteenth Street South from 10th Avenue South to the traffic light adjacent to Sterne Plaza will be closed to through traffic during demolition of the bridge. The first-floor entrance of Sterne Library along 13th Street South also will be closed during demolition of the bridge. Visitors can enter through the building’s north entrance at Sterne Plaza via 14th Street South.
Nonfunctioning Sterne Elevator: Beginning early May
To prepare for installation of new elevators during late summer and early fall, UAB Facilities will remove the left-side elevator from the central elevator bank at Sterne Library, which currently is nonfunctioning. The right-side elevator will remain open for patron use, and the building’s service elevator, located behind the circulation desk on the first floor and the exhibit space on the third floor and reserved primarily for staff use, will remain on standby.