Visit from University of NottinghamUniversity Library Refurbishment

20th August 2012

This session

• University Context• Brief history of Library buildings• Vision & Drivers for the refurbishment project

• The Projects• Stakeholder input• Design• Building project • Delivery

The University Context & Library buildings

University of York• Founded 1963• UK top 20; RAE 8th; World

top 100; now Russell Group; WUN

• 15,265 students• >30 departments in

humanities, social sciences, science

• Campus growth– Heslington East

• Collegiate and inclusive

University Library• > 1m items• >100 staff• Archives extensive &

unique• Developing digital

library expertise• Library & Archives to

2008• Now part of

Information Directorate

JB Morrell Library • 1960's Library building • Designed in collaboration with University's first

Librarian, Harry Fairhurst – few barriers between stock and users– large open areas that can be altered as necessary– teaching accommodation– group studies– cafe

• First major extension to North of building: 1986-1987

Raymond Burton Library for Humanities Research

• Opened 2003• Funded primarily by the Raymond Burton

Charitable Trust• Purpose built Library conjoined• Includes a research reading room• Temperature controlled storage for Special

Collections

The Borthwick Institute for Archives

• Founded in 1952 as a forerunner of the University

• Archives moves from its city centre location to an extension to the Raymond Burton Library in 2005

• Library department renamed Library & Archives

Other branches• King’s Manor Library• York Minster Library, in

partnership with Dean & Chapter– Oldest & largest

Cathedral Library in the country

• Both in Grade One listed locations

Initial drivers & opportunities

• Asbestos removal from JBM Library• Move of adjacent Computer Science academic

department to Heslington East, releasing a further refurbishment opportunity

• Joined up approach to Information provision as expressed in the 2008 Information Strategy

LibQUAL+ 2008

The Vision

Vision components

• A research Library environment for deep study including archives

• A working Library for students and staff– Better group and individual space

• A ‘Commons’ building – Multimedia provision (focused on Music & TFTV)– Interactive space (and with a range of staff)– Technology rich varieties of space (including PGRs)

Other factors• Building integrity• Upgrade to lighting, heating and ventilation

essential• Tired facilities• Improved zoning required• Need for bookable group study space• Pressure on collection space• Increased emphasis on self service• Additional IT including use of personal devices

BEFORE

The Projects

Stakeholder input

• Consultation witho Library staffo Academic staffo Students

• Data on space utilisation and future needs

• Review of Library survey data and comments

• Examples of good practice from other institutions

• Advice from Estates and other contractors

Design

• Respecting the integrity of the original design of the JB Morrell Library

• Common palette of finishes

• Buildings distinguished by use of colour in furniture

• Power throughout

• Wireless throughout

• Zoning

• Wide range of study facilities

• Longevity of furniture solutions

• Design shifted as Computer Science building was added to the plans

Building project

Timescales• J B Morrell tender won by Shepherd Construction Ltd in Summer 2009

o Building work January 2010 until 24 February 2012o Move of 95% of Library staff to portakabins August 2010

• Customer Services & Archives staff remained in buildingo Construction work took place over 6 phaseso Four floors; ground, first, second and third (also included roof refurbishment) o Library stayed open throughout o Work took place on one floor/part of a floor at a timeo Overnight working when necessaryo Large scale book moves throughout to accommodate the closing/re-opening of floors

• Computer Science building tender won by Shepherd Construction Ltd in Summer 2010o Building work October 2010 until 16 April 2011 o Three floors; ground, first and second (also included roof refurbishment) o Shorter timescale as contractor had full control of building

Issues• Maintaining a fully operational Library throughout the work

• Noise (from building work and the sub-contractors themselves)

• Loss of study space

• General communication between Library staff as on split sites

• Customer and Contractor expectations

• Move of some lesser used stock to external closed storage

• Renovating a building which had sparse records about infrastructure

Opportunities • Computer Science building gave us the chance to offer innovative study spaces not

seen before at York

• Opened up/improved networks with other departments in the University

• Library Cafe

• Enabled 24/7 opening

• Put the Library back on the map

Delivery

“Love the new Harry Fairhurst Building”

“Despite building disruption, staff have always done a good job and library information has improved over the past couple of years”

“…I really like the new Harry Fairhurst Building…a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere…thank you!”

Questions?