Late Returns at New Library

The John Henry Brookes development, part of the Gipsy Lane campus and costing a cool £132 million, has been delayed once more.

Part campus, part building site since 2011, the initial completion date was scheduled for September 2013. In May we reported that the building would in fact begin to open between September and January as parts of it became ready but the date has now been pushed back again to January 2014 at the earliest.

Once finished the development will hold an improved library, more teaching space with added social learning areas, as well as the SU and support services.

The Abercrombie building opened back in June although several areas are only accessible to those on specific courses. The remaining work continues to cause disruption, especially for those studying in Gibbs who often have to work in stifling heat, unable to open the windows because of noise.

A spokesman for Brookes, Matthew Butler said “It is a huge building project so obviously it is quite a challenging build.” SU Vice President Paul McCormack expressed his disappointment but added “I would rather it open later than it be rushed.”

With moving in only set to begin in January, it could be some time before students feel the benefits of promised new resources and in several cases too late altogether.  Many are also concerned that the moving of books from one library to another is too close to dissertation hand-in times and could cause serious disruption.