Mile End Library Extension - progress update

Artistic impression of the exterior of Mile End Library with an extension at one end

Contractors have been laying the groundwork for the two-storey extension, building scaffolding and a platform to provide access to the area where they are working, as well as cutting through concrete and removing the roof.

So far they have:

• Removed the old metal roof from the entirety of the South end of the building and covered the top of the exposed building with a waterproof shield
• Closed lift 2 (accessed next to the Teaching Collection) - the lift shaft for this lift will be extended to the new upper floors
• Cut through thick concrete to create new openings for staircases and the lift shaft extension 

There will be periods of increased noise from the drilling work, which will be most noticeable in 1st floor South, the Teaching Collection or the Silent Study Room on the ground floor.  If the noise is too disruptive, you may find it preferable to:

• Move to the northern end of the building (silent study is on 1st and 2nd floor North)
• Use one of the additional study spaces (TB201 and TB202 for undergraduates, TB102 for postgraduates) recently opened in the Temporary Building, Geography Square
• Use one of the other library-managed study spaces on Mile End Campus (Canalside or Hive for undergraduates, Graduate Centre for postgraduates)
• Try one of our other libraries (Whitechapel Library is 20mins away on foot, West Smithfield Library is 20-30mins away by Underground)

Next steps:

• More drilling work to cut through the concrete
• A mockup of the new exterior facade of the extension will be installed, so you can see what the materials and finish will look like 

Visit the dedicated project pages to find out what's happening with the Mile End Library Transformation Project.