Library repair and refurbishment

In October 2001 a pre-stressed beam in the Library roof failed, causing the vault to crack in the middle. The building had to be evacuated while temporary props were put in place to stabilise the movement in the roof. Although the engineers allowed the Library to stay open in the short term, the problem was a major structural failure which had to be addressed in the Summer vacation of 2002. Internal and external scaffolding was erected in readiness for a start date in June. In order to make best use of this access to the roof, refurbishment as well as repairs was carried out. Improved thermal insulation, waterproofing, lighting and fire protection were provided with reference to the College's Conservation Plan.

During the Summer vacation the main floor and galleries were inaccessible, while the Lower Ground Floor and the IT Resource Centre remained open. Having resolved the structural problem, the builders handed back the building at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term, but continued to work on the exterior of the roof. The main floor and galleries were closed again in the Christmas vacation. The roof was finished early in 2003 and the Library was back to normal in time for the Easter Term.

We are extremely grateful to the students, parents, alumnae and friends who helped us to raise the £1.2 million needed for this project.