This summer we will start work on a £6m library refurbishment project for the Cameron Smail Library (Edinburgh campus).  The refurbishment will transform the library into a modern, flexible and comfortable environment for everyone that uses it. Staff, students and consultants have worked together to agree on the design for the space, and this huge investment by the university demonstrates our commitment to working with you to improve your experience at Heriot-Watt University.

The Learning Commons which opened last year has been very successful and well used by many students and staff.  It provides 200 study and learning spaces in various configurations and this will inform the type and style of spaces that are to be created in the refurbished library building.

The project will run for 2 years, and will result in more study spaces (up to over 1000 from the current 825), an improved working environment with a variety of collaborative study spaces, double the number of accessible study rooms and improved layout of library stock. There will also be more desk space, more space between work areas, more PC workstations and many other improvements to the building itself to help future proof it.

The library will remain open throughout the project, but there will be times when there is restricted access to areas, noise and some disruption.  We will try to keep this to a minimum, and plan the more intrusive work for times when there is  low demand for the library .

The Learning Commons, the refurbished study space in the Post Graduate Centre (due September 2017) providing nearly 100 study spaces for all students (not just PGs) and several other study spaces will be available across campus – see Study Spaces.

We’ll keep you informed about what’s due to happen when and let you know how things are going as the project progresses.