Library Insider: Falk Library renovations update

Main desk in Health Sciences Library

By COLLEEN ASHLEY

The newly renovated Falk Library in Scaife Hall’s West Wing is now open. Here are the highlights of what you can expect from the updated home of the Health Sciences Library System. 

A new entrance on Lothrop Street. We are more conveniently accessible to the health sciences community because the library's new main entrance is located right inside the West Wing's entrance on Lothrop Street. Access from other areas of Scaife Hall is via the West Wing atrium to level 2M.

A combined service desk. The Main Desk will be your one-stop shop for asking questions, borrowing materials, and checking in for group study rooms. Equipment previously kept at the Technology Help Desk — such as phone chargers, headphones and laptops — will now be available at the Main Desk, so we can meet all of your library needs in one central place. 

Group study room as HSLS

Group study rooms are back. This popular service was unavailable during construction, but three large rooms are now available, each with a capacity of up to 10 people. You must reserve space and check in with your Pitt ID to receive access to the room. Reserve a study room online or book at the Main Desk once you arrive at the library.

Study in comfort with brand-new furniture and study areas. Some areas are equipped with desktop technology, while others provide table space for your laptops or books. There are two levels of new study areas in the library. 

Take a class in the brand-new classroom. Now with larger capacity and new technology, this classroom will enable us to offer in-person and hybrid classes in a setting that works best for you. The room also may be used for more study space when classes are not in session. 

Falk Library renovations are ongoing. Improvements in other areas of the library have begun, so some construction noise may continue. We recognize that this can be an inconvenience, so we will continue to provide earplugs to help reduce noise disruption, and we encourage all Falk Library visitors to report any issues they may encounter. 

Visit HSLS online and follow us on Twitter @HSLSPitt for future updates on Falk Library renovations.

Colleen Ashley is a marketing and web specialist for the Health Sciences Library System.