Nov 252011
 

During summer 2012, major refurbishment works will take place in the Robinson Library. New lighting, data and electrical cabling will be installed, new carpets will be fitted, toilets will be refurbished and new furniture will be purchased to create new study and research areas on Levels 3 and 4.

The work already undertaken during summer 2011 (to rehouse back-runs of journals in our Research Reserve) has enabled the Robinson Library to create an additional 110 study spaces for this academic year. We have created new study areas on Levels 3 and 4, and have moved the Reference Collections into more prominent positions.

We will be adding 50 new computers to Levels 3 and 4 before Christmas 2011, with a further 75 computers to be added as part of the major refurbishment which will take place during summer 2012. By this Christmas, we will have over 350 computers in the Robinson Library, an increase of over 60 computers since June 2011.

In line with existing library policy, books which haven’t been consulted for over 5 years (10 years in some subject areas) will be rehoused in the Research Reserve. As with the journals, these books remain part of Newcastle University Library’s collection and will be available on request, usually within 24 hours. It is estimated that the space released will allow us to create up to another 190 study spaces.

We are currently considering ways in which to design, configure and furnish Levels 3 and 4 in the Robinson Library to ensure we create the types of study space our users want. We’re engaged in discussions at staff-student committees and other university meetings, we’ve recruited work experience students to help us gather feedback and undertake observational research into how and where students study, both in the library and in other study spaces on campus and elsewhere. These findings will all help inform our decisions on how we design the space. If you would like to contribute to this discussion, we’d welcome your comments, ideas and suggestions. Please leave a comment on this blog or contact us directly.

 Posted by at 5:59 pm