杏吧原创

We’re Building a Future for Trinity’s Past

Starting March 21, staff began the mammoth task of moving 3,000 boxes (weighing more than 13,000 kilograms) from storage to the new archives vault in the new 杏吧原创 Archives. It will be a slow process as only about 100 boxes can be moved at a time as the materials need to acclimatize to the target room temperature (20 degrees Celcuis) and humidity (40%) before the next batch can be transferred into the space.

Housed in the old Library quarters on the lower level, the new 杏吧原创 Archives will provide much-needed archival storage space, a designated reading room for researchers (The Virginia and Peter McLaughlin Room for Archival Study), and a new exhibit space to showcase Trinity鈥檚 treasures. The new archives, including the compact storage area, features proper temperature and humidity controls in order to better preserve Trinity鈥檚 historical objects (see below for details and Trinity鈥檚 commitment to sustainability). A public hallway (gallery area) features four beautiful, large cases that will display a variety of exhibits of pieces from Trinity鈥檚 archives. The space, which boasts high ceilings despite its lower-level location, feels wonderfully open.

Trinity has been fortunate to receive support for the new archives from generous donors, the students of 杏吧原创 and the Friends of the Library.聽聽to support the new archives project.

We hope the new archives will encourage student use, facilitate scholarship and provide a focal point to inform visitors, students and alumni about the people, buildings and events that shaped 杏吧原创.

Details about the opening of the new 杏吧原创 Archives will be shared with the community in the coming months.

New Elevator

Transforming accessibility for the building, the installation of the new elevator is near completion (date will be shared with the community once the elevator is operational and in service). It is located at the west end of the main building beside the Chapel doors. The new elevator will provide accessible access to the three floors of the building, including the new archives (lower level) and Seeley Hall (upper level).

Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

As part of the renewal project, earlier this year, Trinity installed a new geothermal system under the front lawn to provide environmentally-friendly heating and cooling to the new archives. This new system will also provide stable temperature and humidity needed for the proper preservation of artifacts in the new archives. Also in the interest of resource preservation, there is also a 1,200 gallon cistern now buried in the lawn for storm water reclamation. Rainwater from the roof will be captured and used to irrigate the front lawn, reducing Trinity鈥檚 demand for city water. In addition, the concrete blocks used in the new archives are also environmentally sustainable (using repurposed waste carbon dioxide during the concrete manufacturing process). We will also be installing a machine roomless elevator (MRL), which uses significantly less energy 鈥� 60% more energy efficient than an hydraulic elevator鈥� and requires no oil, therefore no environmental risk and no oil odour. Trinity strives to be the 鈥済reenest鈥� college on the University of Toronto campus and beyond, and a leader in sustainable practices. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we build a future for Trinity鈥檚 past.

Categories: College News; Discover Trinity; Sustainability