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Library home » Campus libraries » Bundoora » Library Redevelopment Project » About the Project

(click to enlarge)

An early concept mock up only but gives some indication of what a Level 1 entrance to the Library may look like viewed from the Agora.

Why redevelop the Library?

The Borchardt Library provides resources and services for approximately 20,000 students and 2,000 staff at the Bundoora campus. It is the only library on the largest campus of the University and is the main library of the La Trobe University Library system.

Some 6,000 to 8,000 (Tuesday's during the semester are often 9500+) people use the building each day during semester. The Library also provides services to complement other campus libraries of the University by providing services to students and staff of all campuses, both in person and online.

The current redevelopment project takes into account changes in styles of teaching and learning and global trends in academic library service delivery, including:

• the greater need for collaborative and social learning spaces with access to technology
• the continuing demand for increased access to computer workstations
• the need for network access and power points for clients using their own laptop computers in the Library
• the rapidly expanding access to, and digitisation of, scholarly resources.

Background to current project

In September 2008 the University learned that it would receive a $14.72 million capital grant under the Federal Government's Better Universities Renewal Funding (BURF), to be primarily applied at the Bundoora campus for improving student study areas.

After considering internal submissions for BURF funding (including one from the Library seeking funding to refurbish part of Level 1 to create more collaborative learning space), and a review of other capital investment and funding proposals, the University decided to allocate the majority of the BURF grant to create enhanced learning spaces for students at Bundoora.

This was welcome news for the Library as it was decided that a major share of the available funding and additional University funds would be applied to reconfiguring the Library to create a new Level 1 entrance and learning commons and at least 500 more student study spaces.

A student hub and additional learning spaces and facilities are also planned elsewhere on campus along with additional investment in teaching and learning ICT infrastructure and equipment, with the intention to ease the pressure on Library facilities.

John Wardle Architects were appointed to the project in March 2009 and bring with them experience in designing exciting new library and learning spaces at the University of Sydney and the University of South Australia amongst many other projects.

Further development of the proposed scope and design options then took place and a final submission was made to the University in July. The final proposal to redevelop all of Level 1 (ground floor) of the Library and subsequently part of Level 2 at the south end was then approved.

Scope of works

The Project will redevelop all of the public space on Level 1 (ground floor) of the Library, including the Level 1 façade. Once works on Level 1 (ground floor) are complete, work will begin on areas at the south end of Level 2 of the Library.

During construction, the entrance to the Library will remain where it is currently on the upper level of the Agora (Level 2 of the Library). The construction on Level 1 will include the creation of a new entrance to the Library at ground level on the north side of the Agora. Once construction is complete on Level 1, the current entrance on Level 2 will be closed and staff and students will enter the Library at ground level (Level 1).

The existing glass artwork and covered area outside the Library will remain, although the stairways will be removed. Both stairways inside the Library will be glassed in and the rear stairway will be extended over the three levels of the Library.

Major building works are not planned for Level 3 of the Library, but collection moves will allow for the layout to be improved and study space to increase and make better use of natural light.

An additional 850 seats will be created in a variety of flexible and social configurations to support collaborative study.

Project works include:

• Relocate the Library's entry / exit to the ground floor (Level 01)
• Provide a new frontage and presence for the Library facing the Agora
• Upgrading of Levels 01 & 02 to provide an additional 850 study seats and a greater variety of study spaces for a new Learning Commons environment
• Flexible learning teaching spaces
• Academic study space / private lounge
• Separate post-graduate research and study space
• Café and Gallery / Exhibition space
• 24 / 7 zoned access
• Interior fit-out to Levels 01 & 02 where the scope of project works consists of approximately 3260 sq.m on Level 01 and 1165 sq.m on Level 02
• An extension of the rear internal stairway linking Levels 01 & 02
• Upgrade finishes to internal inter-connecting stairs and new glass wall enclosure to provide smoke and fire separation between all three floors
• Demolish existing ceiling and grid to Level 01 and replace with new
• Making good works to Level 02 ceiling from the removal of Level 02 entry.
• Ecologically sustainable design and use of materials wherever possible

The redevelopment will see relocation of a significant portion of lower use print materials and print materials with electronic equivalents to either the Library's onsite store or the offsite store - the Bundoora annexe, just 12 minutes walk from the Library in Waterdale Rd.

During construction, a similar amount of student study space to that currently available in the Library in will be maintained. However, there will need to be some rearrangement of the existing layout to move the current study spaces and workstations on Level 1 to Level 3 to allow for the building works.

The Library regularly consults with and informs the University Library Advisory Committees and student representatives about plans and progress with the implementation of the redevelopment project.

Key project contacts

La Trobe University

Consultants