University of York campus gets buildings link go-ahead (From York Press)

University of York campus gets buildings link go-ahead

7:42am Thursday 29th July 2010

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A YORK university’s planned expansion of its library has taken a step forward after a new link between two of its buildings was approved.

The University of York is aiming to provide extra space for staff and students at its JB Morrell Library after its computer sciences department makes a move to its multi-million-pound campus extension at Heslington East.

The extra space for library services will become available at the start of the new academic year in September, and the University has now seen its plans for a single-storey link between the library and the existing computer sciences section given the go-ahead by City of York Council planners.

It is part of a wider refurbishment programme of the library which is also designed to rid the building of asbestos, with the link also aimed at making sure its books cannot be taken away without permission.

“The need for a secure link at ground level is required to enable library users to pass freely between the buildings with books, while ensuring these books are not removed from the premises without passing through security controls,” said a University statement submitted to the council as part of the application.

“People using the library will be required to pass through the controls at this new entrance while entering and exiting the building.

“The provision of a secure link between the buildings will facilitate the extension of library operations into the ground floor of the computer sciences building. It serves a long-standing need to provide additional accommodation for the JB Morrell Library, in order to cater for an expanding staff and student population at the University.”

The University also said the new link route would block a path for pedestrians connecting a nearby car park with the University Road footbridge, but alternative routes were being installed as part of the scheme, while a new staircase and lift are also to be put in place.

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