Approximately 1,000 new Library seating spaces will be provided bringing the overall University ratio of students to seats to a UK best practice of approximately 6.5, creating new types of learning environments to support collaborative study styles. The Library will also contain a distribution of fixed computers with print facilities, laptop loan facilities, training facilities including highly IT enabled teaching rooms, wireless connectivity throughout, self-issue and self-return facilities, Library/ISS helpdesk, a ‘Leeds for Life’ zone and community engagement facilities.
The Library will primarily be for first and second year undergraduate use and will allow a re-balancing of space in the Edward Boyle Library and the Brotherton Library to enhance the overall quality of the study environment.
Building works will complete at the end of 2014, with the new Library opening in spring 2015. Total costs of the project are £27.4m. It will be constructed to BREEAM Excellent standard, with low energy passive design and renewable energy generation.