REMARKABLE SPACES

Alan Gilbert Learning Commons refurbishment

In summer 2024 we worked with colleagues in the Directorate of Estates to enhance the student study experience at the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons.   

Repairs and upgrades included:   

• A new Cosy Campus space at the entrance, featuring a kitchenette with four microwaves and a dedicated seating area  
• New carpets throughout the building, a deep clean of existing furniture and replacement of older furniture 
• Upgraded hardware, including desktop PCs, new printers and audio-visual facilities in group study rooms  
• Upgraded software applications on PCs and loanable laptops  
• A dedicated service for all student enquiries including access, digital support and appointments  

New technology for better access and security

The Library has made some exciting updates to improve services. All locations now have new RFID gates and self-checkout kiosks. These changes will help keep Library sites secure and make it easier for users to access resources. The RFID gates help stop theft, and the self-checkout kiosks allow students to borrow items quickly without waiting in line.  

The Library's Digital Preservation Suite at the Main Library has also been upgraded. Thanks to the teamwork of the Digital Support Team and the Digital Preservation Team, new computers with the latest software have been added. This will help curators preserve important digital collections in a better way and ensure that valuable resources are still available for years to come.  

These updates highlight the Library's dedication to creating a safe, efficient, and modern space for everyone who uses it.  

Improving our offsite storage for research collections

The Library currently has two stores situated off campus that house part of our research collections.  These spaces use rolling racking to provide extremely efficient book collection storage. 

In September 2023 we completed an upgrade of our newest store, which first opened in 2022. This upgrade involved the installation of 3,000m of bespoke storage for oversize material, plus over 100m² of hanging space for heritage collections. 

The John Rylands Next Chapter project

The John Rylands Next Chapter project, a capital investment in The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, began its construction phase halfway through the 2023-2024 academic year. Contractors HH Smith, who specialise in restoration and conservation work, have been on site since February 2024 and had nearly completed phase one of the project by the end of August 2024.  

Phase one has consisted of several elements:    

The creation of a new Advanced Imaging Laboratory for our team of photographers, improving our imaging capabilities and ability to collaborate with researchers;   

A bespoke Event Space, flexible enough to allow teaching with our collections as well as conferences and public events;   

A much-improved modern entrance with a striking portal designed in bronze;   

A new reception and fitted shop area allowing us to use the space to focus much more closely on bookselling.   

 Our architects, Donald Insall Associates (whose previous projects include the Palace of Westminster and Rochdale Town Hall), working alongside exhibition designers Nissen Richards (National Portrait Gallery), continue to lead the design process and will be working with us throughout the project. Phase two will involve the refurbishment of the Rylands' gallery spaces to international sector leading standards. Both phases will be complete in Spring 2025.