New Library opening at Queen's University Belfast

The brand new Sir Anthony O-Reilly Library at Queen's University Belfast is due to open its doors ahead of schedule on Monday July 27th.

While all the stock is in place in the new building, many other facilities will only become available gradually during August.

At a cost of £39 million the new library is a model of sustainable design, expected to meet the stringent standards of the UK's Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). Energy efficiency features include:

• Control mechanisms - Natural light sensors and automatically operated windows reduce electricity consumption.
• Energy conservation.
• Heating and cooling - Strategic use of chilled beams help to cool classrooms and computer-intesnive places.
• Structural factors.
• Ventilation - A natural ventilation system is used throughout much of the building.
• Water use - A rainwater recycling system for greywater conserves conservation.

Facilities include exhibition space, a cafe and a language lab.
The new library has 2,000 reader seats in a mixture of formal and informal spaces, and blends the best features of a traditional library with the latest technology to create a 21st century environment for Queen's staff and students.

The new library building includes places for quiet study as well as significant provision for group work. The highest quality services and support will be fully integrated within the building, making it an exciting and essential part of the student experience at Queen’s University Belfast.

Click here to download a full plan of the new library [pdf].

Posted 20 Jul 2009

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