Technical Information

24 Total gross floor area: 6400 sq. metres
divided into
25 Open access services: 5750 sq. metres
special rooms for (26-29)
26 Audiovisual
27 Computers: PCs are located in study areas throughout the library. Chromebook laptops are also available on free loan.
28 Special collections: 355 sq. metres [These include the Booker Prize Archive, National Brewing Library, Jane Grigson Collection, Ken Hom Library, and the Andre Deutsch Collection]
29 Seminar room(s): 200 sq. metres [Includes 3 student presentation rooms, 2 training rooms and 1 student meeting room]
special activities (30-32)
30 Exhibition space
31 Lecture hall
32 Public refreshments: Catered and vended services are available throughout the building
33 Administration and staff areas: 650 sq. metres
34 Closed access stacks
35 Circulations areas (corridors, stairs, lifts), toilets, technical rooms, etc.
36 Further information: Services and facilities are spread over 6 floors
37 Number of reader seats (total): 988
divided into
38 Audiovisual
39 Computers: 269 [Includes open and silent area PCs]
40 Seminar room(s): 56 [Includes 3 student presentation rooms, 2 training rooms and 1 student meeting room]
41 Regular: 663 [Agile mix of silent, quiet and group zones, with individual and social learning spaces]

42 Books and periodicals (total): 7820 linear metres
including
43 Open access stacks: 5461 linear metres
44 Closed access stacks: 2359 linear metres
45 Compact shelving: Used for open and closed access and is Included in 43 and 44.
46 Audiovisual materials
47 Other
48 Number of staff required to operate the new library: 57

49 Ventilation/Air Conditioning: Exposed thermal mass (concrete), cools the building by absorbing heat during the day which is removed overnight.
50 Heating: Similarly, heat is stored by the concrete during the winter, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature for building users.
51 Lighting: Daylight is maximised throughout the building, with large windows a feature of all reading rooms.
52 Acoustics: Acoustic baffles absorb sound, reducing overall noise in open spaces.
53 Lifts, elevators, escalators: 2 (1 for public use and 1 for staff use)
54 Book transportation system: Manual trolleys
55 Theft detection: 3M detection
56 Building management system: A combined heat and power plant helps to achieve a double-figure percentage reduction in overall energy consumption.
57 Type of IT infrastructure
58 Other: Other features including solar panels, a ‘green’ planted roof and recycling of rainwater help to reduce the building’s environmental footprint.