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Library refurbishment this Summer

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Posted on Sunday 17 May 2026

The Morrell Library entrance area will be redeveloped over the Summer, as part of the University’s long term investment in campus infrastructure. The refurbishment will provide more study spaces and a more welcoming, modern look and feel. This post will tell you all you need to know about what will happen when and how it will affect library services.
The entrance to the library, at night

The new entrance area will be more accessible, with improved study spaces, inclusive toilet facilities, and clearer signage.  

Key dates for the Morrell Refurbishment

The major building work will start from 5 June 2026, and it is anticipated this will be complete in Autumn later in the year.

Getting in and out of the library 

For much of the refurbishment we’ll set up alternative routes in and out of the library. The main entrance will remain usable initially, and when we need to close this we’ll clearly signpost the alternatives.

The contractors will try to minimise disruption and noise, and we don’t anticipate having to close the library during this work - it will remain open 8am - midnight, seven days a week as usual, during this time (with the exception of the first two days, which overlap with our 24/7 opening for the exam period). 

Accessing the Help Desk 

Both the current Library Reception and Help Desk will eventually move as part of this work. During the refurbishment a Help Desk and Reception of some sort will continue to be available, and we’ll clearly signpost where you can go to get help and ask questions.

Accessing books and other materials 

All our books on Floors 1, 2 and 3 of the Morrell (and those in the Fairhurst and Burton) will be accessible as normal during the refurbishment. The materials we keep in Compact Stores 1 and 2 on Floor 0 will not be accessible in the usual way, however - a retrieval service will be made available during the works, allowing students and staff to request items for fetching by library staff once per day. We'll make more details of this available as soon as we can.  

The Morrell Library lockers will be out of service for around 6 weeks, and the Amazon Lockers outside the building will move - we don’t yet know exactly when. 

Car parking 

From 1 June 2026 a site compound will be established on car park 3.1 (Campus North) with the temporary closure of around 20 bays.  

Get in touch

If you have any questions about this refurbishment please get in touch with us via email, Chat, or in person: