My paper will describe and evaluate the RSM’s project to redevelop the physical environment of its Library. The paper will review the process of working with Architects, Structural engineers, Electrical & Mechanical engineers and Builders to redesign the Library and complete the project on time and budget (c£2 Million). The challenges of attempting to provide a full range of services on site, whilst sharing the space with contractors will be discussed, along with the issues of designing a service point for the 21st Century whilst retaining the fabric and character of the existing spaces.
In order to address changing requirements for access to Health Information, Health Libraries must evolve – even where physical limitations make this difficult. The RSM Library has occupied the same building since 1912. Despite the addition of a second reading room in the mid-1950’s and an additional office and Mezzanine stack in the mid-1980’s by the Year 2000 it was clear that further work would be required to ensure that the Library was able to meet the current and future needs of users and staff.
Fortunately this opinion coincided with a recognition that the RSM building itself needed significant redevelopment to meet the changing demands on educational and social activity. Therefore in 2001 a project was commissioned to appoint Architects to plan and redevelop the RSM building.
Work is currently underway (the project began in May 2003), and is due to be completed by the end of July 2004. The Library will remain open throughout.
The presentation will be illustrated with photographs of the work in progress and the finished result – subject to progress by the builders!
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