"We'll be one-third open," said university librarian Diane Perushek.

At the same time, most of the flood cleanup throughout campus has virtually ended, according to a university spokeswoman, and now the university will focus on rebuilding.

The Phase III wing was not damaged by the flood, but it has not been available to the public because it has been housing library staff displaced by damage elsewhere.

The wing contains primarily science and technology books and journals. But the library is offering access to other materials in the other two wings of the library as well through its "paging" services.

Also available in the wing will be about 50 computers on three different levels, a small satellite reference and reading room for the Hawaiian and Pacific collection and some microfilm of Hawaiian newspapers.

Hamilton Library lighting is still being provided by generators outside the building, with fresh air coming in via temporary tubes. (upper left). Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"They're knocking themselves out (to reopen)," said Perushek. "It means a lot to be able to give some service after all this time."

This was one of the areas of Hamilton that were flooded and whose materials sustained extensive damage.

Phase III has had air conditioning, electricity and working elevators since most of the university buildings went back on the electrical grid in the wake of the Oct. 30 flood that did $76 million in damage throughout the university, not including loss of intellectual property at the Biomedical Sciences building.

Even as this one section of the library reopens, Perushek said the university hopes to have large generators in place by the end of January to run air conditioning and electricity in the other two sections of the library.