Public Higher Education Bulletin

Milner Library is the central and only Illinois State University library. Milner Library was constructed in 1976 and is located on the northeast corner of the Quadrangle, next to the Bone Student Center. The six story building has 237,554 gross square feet of space. With five floors open to the public, each level provides a variety of study areas,learning spaces, individual carrels, small tables, group study spaces, and lounge chairs, located adjacent to books, periodicals and other library materials. Milner Library currently operates a satellite warehouse facility approximately three miles away from the Library. This space includes nearly 30,000 square feet of space, primarily for the University's archives and managed by on-site library staff. A small "cold room" for select materials is also part of this warehouse storage. A previous Master Plan for Milner Library was developed and published in 1999. The Milner Library Rehabilitation Project is currently the University's number one priority capital funding request to the State of Illinois. There are currently a number of significant projects being undertaken at Milner, including:

1.Repair of exterior brick fascia

2.Repair and replacement of the plaza at the second level entrance

3.Renovation to the public restrooms on each of the six floors

4.Renovation to the area under the plaza on the first floor

Higher education libraries have changed since 1976 and Milner Library's functional facility layout does not match current library vision, strategic priorities, and current student library needs. Milner Library is struggling to keep pace with the increasing availability of new publications and with the ever changing and increasing library technology and information resources. The building lacks the necessary flexibility and services required to accommodate the constantly changing digital technology. The proliferation of smartphones, e-readers, tablets, etc. has changed faculty and student study habits and old paradigms of library operations. Personal study and knowledge accumulation, once exercised in isolation, has changed to be a collaborative exercise that may accommodate varying groups of faculty, students and the community. To remain functional, useful and relevant, academic libraries need to become open and technologically rich collaborative learning spaces. Information once shared solely across the reference desk is now distributed electronically to devices across wireless networks.

Milner's library vision is to be a place that consolidates services to facilitate teaching, learning and research. Students would have open access to information and study space, and assistance with technologies, such as multimedia production and data management software. Milner envisions itself as a preferred primary destination for students and faculty to conduct research, and a place for students to develop reading and writing skills. Milner's future improvements should facilitate the integration of library functions with teaching, statistical analysis center, and information outreach. This project will provide the road map to better integrate the library with all campus stakeholders and partners.

The scope of this work will require a thorough investigation of the existing condition and uses of Milner Library, its satellite facilities, and its functional relationship with academic units on campus. The scope will include:

1.General inventory of all existing and proposed acquisition of library materials

2.Existing space usage by function

3.Existing facilities condition assessment

4.Projected library needs and usage, Phase I - 0 to 2 years, Phase II - 3 to 5 years, Phase III - 6 years out

5.Recommendations for a state of the art space and functional program for a central library at Illinois State University

6.Space/Function plans in graphic format

7.Facility improvement plans in graphic format

8.Implementation schedule

9.Estimated costs in discreet project scopes that conform to Phases I, II and III.

The selected consultant will recommend a methodology to Illinois State University for approval that will be used to complete the Master Plan that includes:

1.Definition of ISU stakeholders, roles, and time commitments

2.Inclusive structured involvement with all campus partners and stakeholders

3.Flexibility for future changes, improvements or growth

4.Inclusion of innovative technological features

5.Inclusion of innovative sustainable energy and resource efficient features

6.Priority ranked recommendations

As a project funded by the University, the following are required:

Complete A/E 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) during the entire planning process

Only those firms which meet the following qualifications will be considered:

• Registered and authorized to do business in the State of Illinois.
• There is a BEP goal for this procurement. See solicitation documentation for details.