By James Roberts
Cardiff University executives are moving to strip out the top floor of the Arts and Social Sciences Library (ASSL) to build a giant seminar room, leaked communications have shown.
Leaked emails, shared with Gair Rhydd on Friday tell how the University Executive Board has “approved a business case from Estates to create a new teaching and seminar space for around 160 students”, on the second floor of the ASSL.
This area is intended to cover “the central area which houses the collections”.
Home to around 7 kilometres of books, the second floor holds not only the vast majority of English Literature and History books, but also a significant amount of the Salisbury Collection, which focuses on Welsh and Celtic Studies.
With no mention of the fate of the existing collection, the leaked proposals have raised concerns for the future of this important collection of historical and cultural material.
Protests have already erupted, with Gair Rhydd having been informed that not only students, but also staff employed by Library Services have been shocked and saddened by the proposed changes, which may see the destruction of not only a large collection of books, but also add disruption to what is currently a quiet workspace popular with students during exams.
Posters have appeared across campus, and a petition to save the second floor of the ASSL now has over 1000 signatures.
One student campaigner made reference to the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, saying “To participate in the erosion of a library is a baffling decision for a university to make”.
Others have noted how the proposals have only surfaced, albeit before schedule, after the town hall with Wendy Larner last week, and after the last print edition of Gair Rhydd.
The email goes on to outline that works are expected to start at the end of June. Critics have noted how working over the summer, whilst avoiding disruption to students working in the ASSL, will also allow Estates and Management to avoid scrutiny as campus will be largely deserted.
The changes come within a context of rearrangements to campus, with the University expected to sell off buildings in the future in an attempt to become financially sustainable.
Further works are also expected to commence on the John Percival building over the summer, despite around £ 1 Million being spent renovating it last summer.
When asked for comment a Cardiff University spokesperson said, “The University is currently looking to provide a proof-of-concept learning space on campus to test if it is feasible.”
“The ASSL is a location being explored. We are exploring how this can be undertaken to minimise disruption to our students.”
“The intention is to provide additional study space when it is not used for teaching so we want a location where most students will be able to use and benefit from the space.”
“It is important to stress that plans have not been finalised. We will work with the library – and other key stakeholders – throughout the proof-of-concept process.”
Gair Rhydd asked what the University plans to do with the books held on the second floor, but we did not receive any comment. Further developments in this story are expected soon.