JB Morrell Library ground floor refurbishment

Overview

We are transforming the ground floor of the JB Morrell Library into a more effective, welcoming and flexible environment for students and staff. In close collaboration with the Library team, we are delivering significant improvements and a space designed to enhance your experience on campus.

Benefits

• Enhanced student experience and facilities; 
• There will be an expansion to the library capacity with 1500 seating spaces throughout, providing staff and students with an ideal setting to socialise, study, eat or grab a drink.
• The ground floor space overall will see better flow of movement and improved accessibility.
• We are increasing the overall levels of comfort for library visitors. Introducing a selection of furniture tailored for both focused work and socialising, added plants to keep the space feeling fresh and relaxed, individual spaces alongside collaborative group areas, plus essentials such as increased charging points. 
• We will also be introducing a small focused space, supporting pop-ups and foyer table activities, which will include a rotating display section.  
• Better accessibility and usability; 
• We are prioritising inclusivity with new accessible toilet facilities as well as ensuring that all library access lanes are wider.
• Clear wayfinding to ensure all building users experience a seamless visit. 
• We will be enhancing staff visibility to better meet user demands, looking at further ways of improving efficiency overall.
• Improved infrastructure and efficiency; 
• The main entrance and lobby will undergo a structural upgrade to ensure a more welcoming arrival. The redesign will resolve previous issues of wind tunneling that often required the doors to remain closed, replacing a sometimes awkward entry process with a direct flow from the bridge. 
• Changes such as energy efficient LED lighting, alterations to heating configurations and better insulation, will result in a more sustainable building with a reduction in energy consumption. 
• Finally, we are modernising other areas of our building infrastructure with targeted site enhancements, investing to ensure long-term resilience and sustainability.

“These improvements to our Library entrance area will provide both enhanced study space and enquiry and engagement facilities for students. They build on the refurbishment of the cafe undertaken last year to create an even more welcoming and inclusive environment for all our Library users.”

Vikki Goddard - Chief Academic Services Officer

Images

The following images are an artist's impressions only. There will likely be changes between these and the delivered project.