Medical Library refurbishment 2008/2009
Project overview
In the academic year 2008/09 Information Services completed an extensive and exciting refurbishment of the Medical Library. The project formed part of a programme of improvements to branch libraries across the University. The ground floor of the Arts and Social Sciences Library has also been redesigned this year. This follows the refurbishment of the Dental Library, completed in 2007.The Medical Library is the University's second largest library and currently receives over 150,000 visits annually, lending more than 70,000 items each year.
The aim throughout the project was to achieve a modern learning environment with enhanced facilities to create a welcoming and stimulating environment for the library's users. Developments included:
- more social learning space, using an innovative, flexible design to enable individual study, group problem-solving activities, presentation work and resource sharing
- a high quality coffee bar
- improved IT facilities
- contemporary furnishings and decoration
- improved learning technology equipment
- self-service facilities
The developments in the library have been enabled, in part, by the increasing importance of electronic resources. The extensive range of e-journals and other electronic information resources available at the Medical Library has allowed a substantial reduction in the amount of printed material held, and consequently the release of a considerable amount of space. The electronic resources are complemented by approximately 10,000 carefully chosen key undergraduate texts and reference sources in printed form.
Investment in the project was £2.1 million, including £350,000 from the Wolfson Foundation; the project took 2 years from planning to completion in January 2009.
The Medical Library remained open to users throughout the project. The majority of building work was undertaken within a six month period between June and December 2008. This was an ambitious timescale which included the Summer and Christmas vacations in order to minimise disruption as far as possible. Library staff are grateful to the library's users for their patience and pleased to be able to welcome them to their new library.
Images
Below are some images of the new look library (left) and how it was before the refurbishment (right).
Project management
The project was overseen by a Design Team that met regularly with the architects and designers. A simultaneous project to refurbish the Arts & Social Sciences Library was also underway during this time.
Executive decisions were made by the Library Capital Projects Board, chaired by Alison Allden, Deputy Registrar and Director of Information Services. The board included representatives from academic staff, the Students' Union, University Estates Services and Information Services.
About the designers
Design firm Nomad Research Design Consultation (RDC) specialises in interior design for public sector environments. Their projects draw on the latest developments in areas such as environmental and behavioural science and town planning, to produce spaces that engage and inspire students. They place people at the heart of the design experience.
Further information
For more information contact Mike Wall, Head of Library Development, or Cathryn Gallacher, Assistant Director of Information Services (Client Services).