Reconstruction works begin at UT Library

After signing the contract, AS YIT Ehitus begins with the reconstruction works of the UT Library, which includes renovating the inside and outside of the library. The library will be closed from 23 June to around 4 October 2016. Until then, the library offers users their digital collections, as of August also ordering from the open collections, online consultation and other online services. Books can be returned during the renovation. 

The renovation works are long-term and will be done in several stages. The entire building will be renovated by autumn 2017. As a result, the library building will be brought into compliance with modern requirements and the conditions for employees and users will be improved.

According to Liisi Lembinen, Acting Director of UT Library, the whole library will become more user-friendly: “Readers will have considerably more space: the room for group work areas will increase, an entire repository floor will be open for users, a mother-child room will be created. After the renovation, it is possible to return books round the clock, because the books will have a new book security system. The option to keep part of the building open 24/7 will be constructed. The books in the repositories will finally have proper conditions.”

UT Senior Specialist for Construction Procurement Erki Tamm said that the reconstruction works include building firebreak zones and emergency exists, installing passenger and freight elevators, and extensive construction and finishing works inside the building. The project includes the reconstruction of the building’s high and low current systems and technostructure. The surroundings of the library will also be freshened—the courtyard in front of the building, inner courtyard and the greenery around the building, numerous bike stations will also be installed.

The library will be renovated by AS YIT Ehitus. According to its Director of Construction Toomas Rapp, the renovation works of the UT Library and its surroundings will be a challenge to the customer and the construction workers, primarily because the works need to be done in stages and the schedule is limited—the library will have to be open for users quickly.

“In active daily cooperation with the customer we want to conduct the renovation works so that the everyday work of the library is disturbed as little as possible, and when the works are completed, employees and readers can enjoy the high-quality modern result,” said Rapp.

The total cost of the works is 6,695,970 euros. The last major renovation works in the library were done in 2012 for the CO² emission allowance project.

YIT Ehitus AS is one of the leading Estonian construction businesses which is part of the Finnish YIT Group that offers construction services. The YIT Group is a leader of the construction field, creating sustainable urban environments, and builds housing, business premises and entire areas.