The second phase of the Library Development Project will see £5.8m invested into transforming Clifford Whitworth Library.

The plans, drawn up by interior design consultancy Fuse, will provide additional seats, computers and brighter, more attractive spaces to enable students to study in the way they want. The designs will also allow for the integration of stock and services provided at Adelphi Library, which will close in summer 2016.

The theme of the refurbishment is “The library in the park” celebrating the fact that Clifford Whitworth library overlooks the historic Peel Park – the first municipal park in the UK which opened to the public 170 years ago this summer.

Students in Arts & Media will design artwork and as the project progresses opportunities will be explored to offer students in other disciplines the chance to be involved in live briefs.

Construction will take place in two stages – summer to Christmas 2016 and summer to Christmas 2017 – in order to minimise disruption to students during key times of the academic year. Whilst work is taking place the library will remain open, although areas where construction is taking place will be inaccessible. Temporary arrangements will be put in place to maintain as much access as we can to stock, computers and study spaces during the construction work. Colleagues and students will receive regular updates during the project.

This exciting project will ensure that the University’s main library is better able to meet the needs of our students and offer a welcoming study environment.

We are sitting on this project board, being led by Professor Paul Rowlett, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), and a team of academics.

Paul said: “This will make a real difference to our students, giving them a library that the University can be proud of.”

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Website: http://www.salford.ac.uk/library/development-project