Untitled - Kütüphane

London, UCL Library Services: Main Library 99
20. Renovation
b) Aims of the new building
21. The refurbishment project aims to bring up the reading rooms up tothe
standards of a 21st century library and provide suitable work
spaces for Arts students, whilst preserving the original identity of the
space. Although the library building was built by William Wilkins in
the 1820s, most of the existing elements stem from the reconstruction
and restoration by A E Richardson following war damage
(1950s). All desks have been refurbished and equipped with power
and data sockets for all users to use their laptops. Former lighting
trunking running across the centre of the tables has been removed
and replaced with modern light fittings, to give readers more space to
use large Arts folios and computers. All reader seats have been refurbished.
The original oak bookcases designed by Richardson have also
been refurbished. A LCD screen has been installed to display a slideshow
of information for users. Mechanical comfort cooling is now
installed to improve environmental conditions in the reading rooms.
Disabled access has been improved by widening the entrance doors
to make them wheelchair-friendly.
c) Special Features
22. The library is situated in the Grade I-listed Wilkins Building, at the
heart of the Bloomsbury campus in London. It is near Euston and
Kings Cross-St Pancras train stations, Warren St/Euston
Square/Goodge Street Underground stations and is served by a number
of bus lines.
23. The refurbished area is formed of four rectangular rooms on one
level, with a mezzanine floor above the two rooms at the south end
of the building. There are 4 high crittle windows on the south side of
the building. There is no wheelchair access to the mezzanine level,
which can only be reached by winding stairs. However, disabled access
to the reading rooms has been considerably improved by alterations
to make doors wider.
C Technical information about the new building
a) Floor area (in m 2 )
24. 462 m 2
25. 407 m 2