Killam Library 2023‑25 Retrofit Project

Killam Memorial Library is undergoing a significant energy and water retrofit project from 2023-26.

While the building will look much the same at the end of the project, the retrofit will provide essential updates increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of infrastructure that was installed when the building was constructed over 50 years ago. 

Learn more about the project and Dalhousie's goals for reducing it's overall energy usage and energy cost on the Facilities Management Campus webpage describing the Killam Energy Refit.

Construction will take place from May 2023 to early 2026 and will result in disruptions to service points and study areas as sections of each floor are closed for construction. We will do our best to maintain access to key resources and services and to provide sufficient access to study spaces throughout the project.   

While plans may be adjusted as the work proceeds, here is a project timeline showing when different service points, collections and study spaces will be affected by the retrofit:

September 23 – November 15

Fifth Floor

  • Study tables surrounding atrium

November 1 – January 24

Fourth Floor

  • Book stacks
  • Study carrels

December 4 – January 3

  • Classroom 4106

2025

January 25– March 3

Fourth Floor

  • Grad Pad
  • Quiet study rooms
  • Atrium seating
  • Washrooms

Retrofit Work Completed

2023

May – August

Ground Floor

  • Killam Library Service Point
  • Gord Downey & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space, including the Learning Commons, Ko’jua Okuom Indigenous Community Room, IT Help Desk & Hardware Services, Writing Centre and Atlantic Research Data Centre

June – July

Ground Floor

  • Student Accessibility Centre 

October - November

Ground Floor

  • Centre for Learning & Teaching
  • Music Collection
  • Office of the Dean of Libraries 

November – January

Second Floor

  • LINC Classroom 
  • Library book and journal collections (Call Numbers U-Z, Oversize books and Government Documents)

2024

January - March

Second Floor

  • McNab Reading Room and Upper Learning Commons

  • Study tables surrounding atrium

March – May 

Third Floor

  • Study tables surrounding atrium

May – July

Third Floor

  • Library book and journal collections (Call Numbers P-T)

May – August

First Floor

  • Main entrance to Killam Library

  • Atrium including food services

July – September

Fifth Floor

  • Archives and Special Collections

  • GIS Centre