Palace Green Library Redevelopments

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• Overview
• 2013 Developments
• Completed Phases of the Project
• Donor Wall

Overview

As part of the Durham Project, Palace Green Library is going through a programme of improvement and renovation. These improved facilities will benefit both researchers and visitors to the Library. The changes will create spaces, with specialised environmental conditions and security, where the University treasures and special collections can be displayed, as well as visiting exhibitions. Other changes will benefit researchers in Durham, as well as those visiting from across the world. As part of the project the 17^th century Bishop Cosin’s Library has been renovated and Cosin’s books returned to their shelves.

2013 Developments

What's happening?

During 2013, work is continuing on the redevelopment of Palace Green Library. The current phase of work, to be completed by the end of April 2013, will refurbish the 1966 Pace Building:

• developing a purpose-build special collections reading room.
• bringing the environmental conditions in two strong rooms up to full current regulation standards
• creating more secure strong rooms space by installing extra mobile shelving

The final phase will provide a new Education Room and Café.

When is it happening?

The current phase of building work will be completed by the end of April 2013. The final phase will begin in October 2013, to be completed in April 2014.

How will it affect me?

Until the end of 2013 access to the Palace Green Library collections will be restricted.

We can only provide access to our collections for researchers by appointment during this period.

To use the collections held at Palace Green Library and 5 The College please ensure that you contact us beforehand on 0191 3342972 or pg.library@durham.ac.uk in order that we can confirm that the material will be available when you require it.

From May 2012, only stepped entrances will be available to readers using Palace Green Library collections (access to the exhibiton galleries will not be disrupted). Please contact the search room (0191 334 2972 or pg.library@dur.ac.uk) if you require more information.

Completed Phases of the Project

Phase 2B of the project was completed in July 2012:

• creating a new Conservation Unit
• expanding space and renewing the air-conditioning in a strong room

In February 2012, Phase 2A of the project was completed to:

• create the new Dunelm Gallery and the History of the Book Gallery, with facilities to host world-class exhibitions
• improve visitor amenities including a new entrance area, reception point and shop
• complete the extensive restoration of Bishop Cosin's 17th century Library

In 2011, Phase 1 of the project was completed:

• The Wolfson Gallery opened in January 2011. For information about the Treasures of Durham University exhibition, visit our Exhibitions webpage.
• The Law and Music collections were transferred from Palace Green Library to the Bill Bryson Library in June 2011.
• The CIS computers at Palace Green were relocated elsewhere around the University's Durham campus. There are alternative open access PCs located on Palace Green in Pemberton Room 24 (PG24) and at all other Library sites. Information about open access facilities can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/its/local/classrooms/location. From 2012 as part of the Bill Bryson Library extension more open access PCs, network points and WIFI access became available in the Bill Bryson Library.

Donor Wall

The Bill Bryson Chancellor’s Appeal for Palace Green Library has been one of our most successful appeals to date. A glass wall listing hundreds of dedications has now been installed opposite the newly refurbished Dunelm Gallery in Palace Green Library. This wall records gifts of over £100 from our alumni, friends and supporters.

Thank you to all those who have generously supported this initiative. Please do take the opportunity to visit the Library and see your chosen dedication in situ.