From this Friday students and fellows at Magdalen College will not be allowed into the college’s New Library while it undergoes an 18-month redevelopment.
The college has put up a makeshift marquee in St Swithun’s Quad, which will serve as the acting library until the redevelopment is finished.
The redevelopment of the New Library has long been in the making. At one seat to every fourteen students, the current library has the worst seat-to-student ratio out of any library in either Oxford or Cambridge.
In a video posted on the Magdalen College website, Fellow Librarian Dr Christine Ferdinand said: “This is obviously not a very good environment to work in.”
The college website further outlined problems such as consistent leaks in the roof, an outdated heating system and the need for a café.
The St Swithun’s Library has 45 reading spaces, Magdalen’s DVD collection and “a roof that does not leak.”
However, some students were not so supportive of the redevelopment.
Ryan Hoyle, a first year Medic, said: “Obviously it’s disappointing to be paying so much money and yet find myself studying in a gazebo. Hopefully the builders are aware of the £5 fine if their phone rings.”
Taanvi Ramesh, a first year Linguistics and Philosophy student, said: “The absence of the library is definitely going to be a big hindrance.”
“I guess it’s a particular annoyance to current students because we don’t even get to experience the new library once it’s done! Hopefully all the work is worth it,” she added.
Magdalen hopes that the refurbished New Library, which will have a lift and twice as many places to study, will be open for the start of Trinity Term 2016. The plans for the refurbished library are available to view online.
