On Thursday 21 January CILIPinKent were delighted to host a visit to the University of Greenwich Stockwell Street Library. Library User Services supervisor, Helene Mallauran kindly led the tour.
The Stockwell Street development is a new campus library and academic building for architecture Landscape and Creative Professionals and Digital Arts disciplines.
Stockwell Street library opened its doors in September 2014. The building was shortlisted for both the Stirling Prize and the British Construction Industry Awards, having also won a RIBA London Regional Award and the award for best London Town Centre Project in the London Planning awards.
Arranged over five floors, the main feature of the library is the huge steel central staircase offering fabulous views from different angles.
The new building offers dedicated training rooms, bookable group study spaces, card access turnstiles, a spacious workroom and book displays.
Seating is available for over 670 across four floors, including 165 desktop PCs.
Library catalogues throughout the building enable full searching of all materials held in both physical and digital formats. Help Point are available on each floor, although they each focus on a different type of enquiries (i.e. directions, library membership, IT).
125,000 books are arranged by subject across three floors. Six self-service units and two returns units enable fast and easy issue and discharge of loaned materials.
Adjustable tables and assistive technology are part of the library facilities.
Digital and mobile technology is a key feature of the library supported by provision of laptops and Wi-Fi connectivity throughout. Networked printing and copying are enabled via five MFDs and there are two plotters. Zoned areas facilitate Silent, Group and Quiet Study.
It was a very interesting visit.
We loved the roof garden
These chairs
And the floors signs
CILIP in Kent 