What is the current status of the Harrison Library refresh works? Last Updated: 05.Sep.2024 Views: 158
*** Harrison Library will be closed on Sunday 8th September due to essential electrical works. Our library at Walsall Campus will be open 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday as normal ***
During the summer of 2024, the Harrison Library will be undergoing a 'refresh' programme to improve the study environment. The project will mainly concentrate on the ground and third floors in the first instance, and will involve some new furniture, carpets and areas of repainting.
There is likely to be significant disruption at various stages of the project - please contact us using Library Assist online chat if making a special journey. Our libraries at Walsall and Telford (Hutchison) remain unaffected and will continue to offer their usual study space options if you need an alternative.
Here we will keep you up to date with the status of the works and access to different parts of the library.
General Timescale: the project is due to commence during the first week of July and is expected to continue through until September (and possibly longer). During this time, we may need to restrict access to some floors of the building and put in place temporary entrance arrangements. We will also be moving books around in bulk as the project progresses.
Harrison Library Service Status
Last updated: 05/09/24
Service |
Status |
---|---|
Library Entrance | Normal |
Ground Floor (Help Desk Side) | Closed, except for a small Welcome Point. There is central lift and staircase access to the first and second floors. |
Ground Floor (Atrium Side) | Closed |
First Floor | Currently open as normal but expect significant disruption. |
Second Floor | Temporarily closed |
Third Floor (IT Suite) | Closed |
Third Floor (Silent Study Area) | Closed |
Library Opening Hours | Normal |
Borrow/Return Books* | Normal but some stock may be unavailable if being moved. For any items unavailable, we can help to access online or request an Inter-Library Loan |
Book Requests (Click and Collect) | Normal but some stock may be unavailable. Requests can be collected from the First Floor Help Point. |
Access to Print Journals | No access due to ongoing shelving moves. For any items unavailable, we can help to access online or request an Inter-Library Loan |
Access to Student PCs | Reduced Service as some PCs are being relocated. This means that PCs with specialist software may not always be available. |
Student WiFi | Normal |
Laptop Loans | Reserved laptops can be collected during our core hours (9am - 5pm) from the First Floor Help Point |
Short Loan Laptops (LapSafe lockers) | No Service. Consider reserving a long loan laptop instead, but be aware there is likely to be a waiting list. |
Inter-Library Loans (ILL) | ILLs can be collected during our core hours (9am - 5pm) from the First Floor Help Point |
Library Assist | Normal |
Library Room Booking | No Service - due to ongoing decorating of study rooms, all rooms have been taken off the booking system for the time being. First Floor rooms can be used on a first come first served basis without booking, but please be prepared to move at short notice if the decorators require access. |
Skills Workshops | Normal |
Skills Appointments | Normal |
Skills Drop-ins | Normal service; drop-ins will be hosted on the first floor when the Skills Zone is out of bounds. |
Print/copy/scan | Normal |
New SCONUL Access or Alumni Access registrations | Normal |
Replacement/New student or Researcher ID cards | Normal |
Latest News:
02/09/24: the second floor remains closed for the time being. This is to ensure health and safety while shelving is dismantled. The decorators are also due to start on the first floor works this week, so all room bookings have been temporarily suspended.
The ground floor entrance area where you come in from the MD corridor is due to be carpeted on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September. During this time, a temporary entrance will be in operation from the courtyard side of the building, and the ground floor welcome point will be moved to serve this location. Please bear with us during this additional disruption.
29/08/24: due to the amount of work taking place in the area, it has become necessary to temporarily close the entire Second Floor for the time being. We apologise for the added inconvenience this will cause. First floor study spaces are likely to experience increased demand in the interim.
21/08/24: the central staircase is back in use for access to the available study spaces. Decorating work is ongoing, particularly on the second floor, so areas may be taped off while the painting takes place.
From Monday 12th August, we are anticipating additional disruption on the first and second floors due to decorating and carpeting works. Some of this will take place in the evenings and overnight, but there may be sections of both floors which are unavailable on a rolling basis.
5/8/24: the Ground and Third Floors continue to be unavailable with contractors now on site daily.
24/07/24: the Ground Floor is now closed as a study space. A small Welcome Point has been installed with a self issue machine; the main temporary Help Point is now on the first floor. Inter Library Loans and reserved 30 day laptops can be collected from the First Floor Help Point during our core hours of 9am - 5pm.
23/07/24: the Third Floor IT Suite has now closed.
18/07/24: furniture and PCs on the Ground Floor (Help Desk side) are being removed in preparation for handover to the contractors next week.
15/07/24: the Third Floor Silent Study zone is now closed. The Quiet Study zones on the first and second floor will remain available.
10/07/24: work is now underway on the Third Floor (Silent Study side) to crate up the journals. We apologise for any disruption and additional noise this will cause.
09/07/24 - the atrium side of the ground floor is now closed while shelving is dismantled and books are being moved. Books are being relocated across the first and second floors so the sequencing may not match existing signage. Please check with a member of staff if you are unsure.
26/06/24 - Some movement of book stock is underway, with the shelves on the ground floor gradually being cleared.
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