But University President Mark Yudof is bringing technology to all aspects of the University. Initiatives to bring the University's technology level up to par puts the old buildings on the same level as the new ones. Easy access Planners hope the part of the archive center built above ground will become a mecca for research in the state and perhaps the nation. When completed, the public will only have access to the four stories of the building located above ground. The top three stories are dedicated to the eight sections of collections which anyone interested can study and copy.
Patrons can examine materials in the various study rooms, filling the top three floors.
The caverns beneath will house old or unused books for libraries throughout the state, in addition to centralizing many of the University's resources. While all archives will be kept in the off-limits cavern, they can be requested easily. Only center employees will be allowed to search the caverns because of a complex filing system based on book size rather than subject. Many archivists are excited about the center because it will give them a chance to combine their resources. Hinding, an archivist at the University for 34 years, said she thinks the new center will help the archivists better serve researchers.