Library
Project at a Glance
A 21st Century Learning Environment
Macquarie is a university on the move, on the way to becoming one of the top 200 research universities in the world. This new building will symbolise the university aspirations and reputation. It will provide a 21st Century learning and research environment that facilitates vital interactions between people and knowledge.
Located at the main entry to the university, the new building will enrich campus life by providing a central Library combined with learning, research and social spaces. The facilities will be unmatched by any academic library in Australia and complement a collaborative approach to learning and research.
The native parklands of the campus have inspired an innovative design, which aims to set impressive sustainability standards.
This website is your gateway to everything exciting about the planning, construction and celebration of the new Library. Visit regularly for updates and take a moment to contribute to the blog as your input is fundamental to the success of this project.
Taking the vision for a new building through to its fruition is a significant project. Here are some interesting facts about the new building.
Expected Completion
- 2011
Total Project Value
- AUS $94m
Building Footprint
- 6,770sqm
Gross Floor Area
- 17,997sqm on 5 levels
Exterior Materials
- glass and metal
Special Features
- Australia's first automated book storage and retrieval system(ASRS)
- exhibition space at the entrance, including the Lachlan Macquarie Room
Design Features
- learning lounges able to be open extended hours
- quiet study areas and dedicated postgraduate research areas
- training, meeting and consultation rooms
- highly adaptable and high tech personal and collaborative learning spaces
- support for technology enabled learning, including adaptive technology
- café located at entrance
Environmental Impact
- working towards a Green Star Rating
- emphasis on sustainability
Seating
- capacity for 3,000 seats
Collection
- Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) storing 80% of collection over the life of the building. Open shelves storing 20% of collection.
What's the Latest?
We're getting ready for the new Library Moving the Library to a new building is a huge challenge. The new Library offers a fresh environment with great potential to re-shape the way we do things to better serve YOU. Read on ...[pdf 831kb]
Trees, Shrubs & Wildlife: What's happening?
Ecological assessment of the biodiversity,
flora and fauna of the new Library site has been
carried out by a number of specialists and no
threatened habitats or species have been
identified in this area.
Your Library on the Move: tagging 1.4m items
As the new Library takes shape, Macquarie
University Library is already ' on the move' gearing up for the massive task of ...Read on [pdf 782kb]
blog@library2010
Have your say ! Join our blog and make a contribution on what you think is important regarding the New Library
Library Stories
Share your story ! As part of the Library 2010 project, Library Friends are collecting Library Stories to commemorate the 40 year history of the current building. If you are interested in sharing your recollections, reflections or remembrances of our Library contact us at librarystories@library.mq.edu.au
This pathway has now been replaced and renamed Wally’s Walk. The saplings on the edges of the pathway have grown to magisterial proportions. These impressive, leafy plane trees now mask the concrete architectural brutalism of that original design. A green canopy that shields the eye and the sky. Read on…