How time flies! Back at the start of 2020 we packed up the Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) and started the refurbishment project. A lot has happened to us all in that time, but none the less great progress has been made to the refurbishment. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we took down the portraits, emptied the shelves and closed the doors.
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- We packed up Sir John Radcliffe back in February 2020.
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- The empty shelves looked quite lonely with no books or students
Significant work has gone on to make the building safer and more modern. You can breath easy as we have removed the asbestos. It’s no shock that there needed to be some re-wiring and things are going smoothly now that plastering has progressed.
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- The Jackson Wing with shelves emptied just before work started.
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- Work progressed removing the shelves and pulling up the floors from the Jackson Wing
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- The Jackson Wing is looking much better now, with new plaster and flooring. And the shelves are back!
When the refurbishment is finished the building will not only host the RSL but also Reuben College he Oxford University Museums Collections, Teaching and Research Centre (CTRC). We’re all looking forward to moving in which we can announce will happen in time for Michaelmas Term 2023.
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- Our new staff office is coming together. Just needs a lick of paint.
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- You’ll be able to return books and ask questions right by the front door.
We’re really looking forward to having a more modern space with greater adaptability. Before the refurbishment we had one group study room, after we reopen we will have four group study rooms. One will be equipped for Microsoft Teams meetings so you can conduct seemless meetings with colleagues in the room and on Teams. Although we’ll still have shelves of books, more space will be dedicated to comfortable study spaces that suit the needs of modern students and researchers. We will also have quality Wi-Fi and charge points throughout the building.
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- There will be study carrels suitable for Teams calls
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- There will be larger spaces for group discussions… after a little more work
With the building coming together so well we are starting to plan for furniture. There will be a range of different seating once we open but if you have any thoughts you can always let us know on out Twitter or by emailing rsl@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Thanks to Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd for their ongoing hardwork on the refurbishment.