Presentation delivered during a visit from the University of Nottingham 20th August 2012

1. Visit from University of
Nottingham
University Library Refurbishment
20th August 2012

2. This session
• University Context
• Brief history of Library buildings
• Vision & Drivers for the refurbishment project
• The Projects
• Stakeholder input
• Design
• Building project
• Delivery

3. The University Context
& Library buildings

4. 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

5. University Library
• > 1m items
• >100 staff
• Archives extensive &
unique
• Developing digital
library expertise
• Library & Archives to
2008
• Now part of
Information Directorate

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. LibQUAL+ 2008

12. The Vision

13. 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)

14. 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

15. BEFORE

21. The Projects

22. Stakeholder input

23. • Consultation with
o Library staff
o Academic staff
o 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

24. Design

25. • 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

26. Building project

27. Timescales
• J B Morrell tender won by Shepherd Construction Ltd in Summer 2009
o Building work January 2010 until 24 February 2012
o Move of 95% of Library staff to portakabins August 2010
• Customer Services & Archives staff remained in building
o Construction work took place over 6 phases
o 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 time
o Overnight working when necessary
o Large scale book moves throughout to accommodate the closing/re-opening of floors
• Computer Science building tender won by Shepherd Construction Ltd in Summer 2010
o 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. Delivery

31. “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!”

36. Questions?