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Abertay Celebrates Library Refurbishment Completion
On Wednesday 19th September, Abertay staff, students and members of Court gathered to mark the official completion of the University’s Bernard King Library refurbishment project.
The event, which included speeches from Abertay University Principal Professor Nigel Seaton and Director of Information Services, Michael Turpie, as well as a ribbon-pulling ceremony and specially-commissioned Library cake, welcomed those who had contributed to the project’s success over its two phases of development (focusing on Levels 1 and 2 in 2017, and Levels 3 and 4 2018). Also in attendance were Victoria Ryan, the first ever student to use the Library when it was originally opened in 1998, and Library cleaner Jeanette Scroggie, who has looked after the building for the past 20 years.
Victoria Ryan and Principal Nigel Seaton
The £4.9m project, spanning over four years, focused on modernising the building interior, introducing a new café and social area, improving its resources and providing a variety of spaces to cater for the changing student experience, one which relies increasingly more on technology and digital resources than traditional book-led studies.
With that in mind, the renovation has seen the installation of laptop lockers, as well as the provision of write-on walls and glassboards to support group learning in its Social Learning Space, self-contained silent study reading rooms, and an Amazon locker, all in an attempt to create a “sticky campus” (where students are inclined to remain on campus, even when not attending classes).
“The investment Abertay has made to future-proof the Library, and other spaces across campus, highlights the University’s commitment to provide the best experience for its students.
Professor Seaton said: “It’s a pleasure to mark the re-opening of the Bernard King Library, which is an outstanding facility for our students here at Abertay.
“My thanks go to the project team, as well as the members of the Abertay community who contributed their thoughts on the design of the Library, and the many staff and students who lived with the disruption of the renovation work over two summers.”
Michael Turpie said: “The investment Abertay has made to future-proof the Library, and other spaces across campus, highlights the University’s commitment to provide the best experience for its students.
“I’m proud to have led this successful project and can already see the positive impact it’s had, with a continued increase in footfall and use of the Library’s diverse new learning spaces.”
To see inside the new and improved Library, watch our video tour.
