Official says UNLV library needs extra support for two floors

Kenneth Marks, dean of libraries at the university, says additional steel beams must be added to fortify the five-story structure.

The work is currently underway and efforts are being made to keep the project on track for a scheduled January 2000 opening, according to Patrick Batte, a project manager for the State Public Works Board.

The second and third stories are too weak to support the weight of the compressed library shelving that will be used to store government documents and special collections in a more space-efficient manner, Marks said.

The second and third floors require double the weight load, he said.

Batte said 20 beams, most of which are 28 feet in length, will be added to reinforce 4,000 square feet on those two floors.

Architects and engineers, who say they were not told about the need to support additional weight, are arguing with library staff members over who is to blame, Batte said.

"We're looking at several issues," he said. "Why wasn't it part of the original design? Did the library staff give the architects all the information? Right now we're in somewhat of a paper chase."

The problems, first noticed in November, could cause a delay in the library's opening, so staff members are gearing up for everything from the scheduled January 2000 opening to a debut several months into the year, Marks said.

Meanwhile, university leaders are trying to persuade state lawmakers to set aside $1.6 million to provide additional staffing and pay for utilities and other maintenance costs tied to the library's six months of operation.

The additional funding, which would cover expenses from January through June 2000, was left out of Gov. Kenny Guinn's budget request.

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