University of Galway has welcomed planning approval for a new learning commons at the heart of its city campus.
The development will create a sustainable, modern building which will be home to the library of the future.
University of Galway’s Learning Commons will replace the existing library and offer a new, high-tech space of learning and creativity.
It will focus on providing access to books, information and the latest learning technologies for student teaching and learning, for research and for staff.
The university’s current library was constructed in 1973 and sits at the heart of the Hardiman Building in the centre of the South Campus.
The most recent major redevelopment in the library took place in 1999.
The proposed new Learning Commons development will be located off Distillery Road, immediately south of the University’s Sports Centre.
President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said that values are the bedrock of University of Galway’s strategic plan – openness, excellence, respect, sustainability.
“Libraries are central to the life of, and learning in universities, and our new leabharlann will be a ‘lárlann’ in the concrete and conceptual life of our university, a manifestation of our values for the public good,” said Prof Ó hÓgartaigh.
“We are delighted that we have secured planning permission for a development that will be a new, state-of-the-art, focal point for our students, staff and visitors.”
John Cox, University of Galway Librarian, said the vision for the Learning Commons is for community building and collaborative engagement across disciplines.
“This ambition maximises technological and intellectual resources in order to address challenges which exceed the capacity of any one discipline, for example climate change, sustainability and disease control, challenges which are central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
The Learning Commons, designed by RKD Architects, is a building ranging in height from four to six storeys.
It will include quiet, individual and collaborative areas; spaces for exhibitions; digital creativity; Makerspace, digital scholarship centre; areas dedicated to research/postgraduate study, teaching and events, community engagement and welcome zone, helpdesk, collections, book processing; Bookbot; student wellbeing including sensory, relaxation and outdoor spaces.
