Improvements project |
Summary project timetable |
Detailed project timetable |
Visitor Information
Project for the Improvement of Public Areas
The following summarises the programme of improvements to the
public areas which has been undertaken during 2007-8. In developing
and commissioning the works, which amounted to approximately
£2,000,000, we bore in mind the following objectives:
Extending the space and facilities available to our
visitors
By knocking down the wall of an
adjoining strong room we extended the space available for
public use by 20%. In the new Information Floor, we have
created a much larger Digital Area, to enable the switch from
microform to digital resources. At the same time we have
refurbished the Archive Study Area.
Making the public facilities more comfortable
Around the building, signage has been improved and furniture
replaced. The Archive Study Area is now comfort cooled. The
recently completed window replacement programme will significantly
reduce winter draughts and summer noise from the playground across
the street. Throughout, the new flooring has special noise
deadening features which we hope will keep the information space
quiet without being forbidding. In the later phases of the project,
we will be improving the Visitor Lounge, refurbishing the
lavatories and introducing display, welcome and meeting points.
Modernising and automating access to our collections and
catalogues
This January, we introduced our new comprehensive catalogue to
the 79 kilometres of archive collections held on this site: this is
the outcome of over 8 years of work by our Acquisitions and
Cataloguing team. In the course of the year, we will be introducing
online document requests: coupled with electronic catalogue, you
will be able to plan your visit very effectively.
Increasing the security of our collections
Following the theft of a few items
from our Archive Study Area last year, we have completely
reviewed many of our working practices and have tightened our
processes and invigilation. We were saddened by the incident
but our security systems were robust enough to lead to the
identification and prosecution of the individual concerned,
who received a two year custodial sentence. Fortunately, the
majority of items were recovered and returned to the
collections. In addition to many internal changes, Readers’
cards will be introduced as part of this project as well as
tighter interpretation of some of Archive Study Area
rules.
Improvements in phases 3 and 4
The later phases of works are scheduled to happen during our
stocktaking closures in 2008 and 2009. In some cases, however, some
of the changes (such as the refurbishment of our lavatories) may
take longer than the fortnight’s closure. It is our intention to
plan these longer works in such a way that we will re-open on time,
even if the contractors need to continue on site behind the
scenes.
We hope that you will agree that these changes are desirable and
will lead to significant improvement to your ability to enjoy and
use our services. If you have any comments or questions about any
aspects of these projects, please let us know by either filling a
comments form at LMA or by emailing us at
ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Detailed Timetable
Improvements Stage 1 - by 21 Jan 2008
- Public areas extended by approximately 20%; new acoustic
flooring laid; new furniture for digital workstations, with seating
for 60; improved signage
- Online catalogue to whole collection available
- New lighting introduced and refurbished ceiling
- Redecorated staircase, toilets and Information Area
- Windows project (including new double glazing and filtered
panes) completed, leading to greater comfort in winter and
summer
- Harben and Barnett Meeting Rooms refurbished
- Huntley room as Temporary Reading
Improvements Stage 2 - by 7 April 2008
- New computer screens for 48 in the Digital Area
- New Archive Study Area; new acoustic flooring laid; new
furniture (seating for 40)
- New Collection Point from which readers’ orders can be
borrowed, including recharging point for laptops
- New digital display screens
- New glass partition between Information and Archive Study
Areas
- New fire exit doors
- New projection facilities for conference use
- New comfort cooling for summer extremes
- Huntley Room returns to use as a meeting room
Within the Information Area:
- New Information Point in centre of Information Floor
- New shelving for Lists and Library Reference
materials
Improvements Stage 3 - Nov/Dec 2008
- Additional security measures for Archive Study Area
- New Security Point at Ground Floor level
- New CCTV system
- New external signage
Within the Information Area:
- Reader registration
- Online ordering of archives, photographs and library
stock
Improvements Stage 4 - Nov/Dec 2009
- New First floor reception/meeting area with glass walls opening
to Information Area
- New lighting and environmental control measures in Information
Area
- New viewing facilities for film and video holdings and other
graphic collections
- Refurbished toilets and visitor facilities including the
visitor lounge