Mile End Library Transformation preparation for extension works

Artistic impression of the design and layout for the extension showing flooring, light well in the roof and soft seating

We are expecting to hand over areas affected by the extension work to the contractors, from Saturday 11th December.  Work will continue throughout 2022, with an expected completion date early in 2023.

Changes to access from 11th December 2021. 

The 2nd floor South Reading Room will close for the duration of the extension work.  This is to allow the removal of the roof, construction of the additional floors, as well as access stairs and lifts.   

As a result of the closure of this reading room: 

• Open study desks, the Taught Postgraduate and Research Reading Rooms will close 
• Print journals housed on the shelves will be moved to storage, and will be inaccessible.  
• There will be periods of noisy work, especially in the early part of 2022 (dates to be confirmed), the duration and volume of which is not clear at present 

How we are mitigating lost study space, access to collections and noise: 

• Additional study space will open for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Temporary Building, Geography Square, Mile End Campus; a date for opening will be announced shortly 

• An Inter-library Loan service will operate for articles in print titles usually housed on the shelves in this reading room 
• We will work with contractors to keep periods of noise to within agreed times and dates; where this is not possible, we will provide clear information on the impact, and timeframes of particularly noisy work, recommend alternative places to study, and investigate other measures as appropriate 

How you can find out more and stay up to date with the project: 

All the latest information, and programme of works for the Transformation Project are available on the dedicated Mile End Library Transformation Project pages 

For media information, contact: