The biggest improvements focus on increasing space for individual and group study, introducing a more efficient system for borrowing and returning books, improving access throughout the building, and reducing our energy usage and carbon emissions.

This project continues the modernisation that was carried out across 2013-14, which involved the refurbishment of study spaces and furniture on the second to fifth floors. Now, we are giving the ground and first floors major upgrades, as well as making further improvements to all floors. 

Key Improvements

• Addition of 200 extra seats to help ease overcrowding.
• Extra space to meet growing demand for group study
• New automated service to make borrowing and returning books quicker and easier.
• Bigger lifts and better access for wheelchair users
• Improved security
• Sustainable materials will cut energy usage by 40% and carbon emissions by 30% while creating a more comfortable space in which to study
• Expansion to Library café, including new outdoor dining area.

Additional details and latest news can be found at our dedicated project website: www.reading.ac.uk/library/refurb

Work is anticipated to begin in 2017, with completion expected in  late-2019.

The School of Biological Sciences is currently scattered across different parts of the University. The Health & Life Sciences project aims to consolidate the School into a new purpose-built facility within our Life Sciences zone.

The AMS Tower along with the Engineering, Knight and Harborne Buildings will be demolished over the course of this project. The Engineering Building will be demolished first to make room for the new Health & Life Sciences site. Once the new building is occupied, the AMS Tower, Knight and Harborne Buildings will be demolished at a later date.

In doing this, the University can upgrade our Life Sciences facilities whilst reducing unnecessary space and improving the efficiency of the Faculty.

Key Features

• A range of teaching laboratories and seminar rooms
• A bio-resource unit (BRU)
• Research laboratories and write-up areas
• New location for the Cole Museum of Zoology
• New cafe

The project has been developed by Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU), who have involved students in the designing of the project from its beginning. Work is due to start in late March, after the end of the spring term, and is due for completion by the start of the next academic year.      

3Sixty will close during the refurbishment, but other RUSU venues, including Mojo's Bar, Café Mondial and Monterey Lounge will remain open, and the nightclub will continue to run on Wednesdays and Saturdays with these rooms still open. There will still be plenty of activities taking place at these locations over the summer –  check the RUSU’s events page and 2018 events calendar for full details.

As well as improving the two lecture theatres, the lobby area will be extended to provide more circulation space. In turn, this will also provide extra space for each theatre to be fitted with two doors for easier access. 

Work is planned to begin in early spring, with the refurbished theatres ready to use from September 2018, in time for the start of the new academic year.