Both the NIU art museum and the NIU law library will gain space from the art museum’s move to the old auditorium on the second floor of Altgeld Hall.

The law library will use the space once occupied by the museum to accomodate their expanding collection.

NIU Law Library Director Tom Woxland said the American Bar Association recommended that the library expand their space after an accreditation review in 1985.

The addition, which will increase the library’s total space by about 5,000 square feet, is a relatively modest increase, Woxland said. The library is still small compared to other national law libraries, he said.

The renovation, scheduled to begin in January, will be a three part project. The space must first be remodled and made usable for the library’s purposes, Woxland said.

This includes replacing damaged woodwork and changing ceiling tiles and lights. Next, a corridor will be constructed to connect the new facility with the existing library.

Finally, three small group study spaces and two larger ones will be created in the old library. One of the larger study spaces will house a computer laboratory, he said.

The renovation is expected to take seven months and will be done in stages to minimize the inconvenience to students, Woxland said.

The art museum also will benefit from the relocation. Cheryl Wessles, secretary of the art museum, said their floor space increased from about 4,800 square feet to about 6,000 square feet. The museum is now operating from the new location, but no art has been moved yet, she said.

The target date for opening the museum is Sept. 27. A grand opening celebration open to the public is scheduled for Oct. 27.