Redevelopment of the LSE Library

The Lionel Robbins Building, which houses the LSE Library ( the British
Library of Political and Economic Science) together with the School's major
Research Centres, is to be comprehensively re-developed. This will include a
complete internal re-design;  improvements to the fabric and plant areas; as
well as upgrading of public service and book storage facilities. Building
works will begin in September 1999 and last for some eighteen months. The
imaginative and innovative design by world-renowned architects Sir Norman
Foster and Partners will provide :
*	Enhanced study space for library users
*	A significant increase in IT workstations, creating an integrated
learning resource facility
*	Completely re-designed circulation and orientation around the
building
*	Expansion space for library materials
*	A more flexible IT infrastructure to accommodate future
technological developments
*	Greatly improved environmental conditions for books and library
users

This exciting scheme to improve the learning and research environment has
been made possible by generous grants from the Higher Education Funding
Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Joint Infrastructure Fund  and a
number of other organisations and private individuals.

Even though the current Library building will be closing for eighteen
months, Library services, including the Archives Division, will be
continuing throughout this period.  The LSE has managed to lease a suitable
alternative building just five minutes walk from the LSE campus at 25
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane.  This will house all the Library's
services and staff, together with 70% of the collections, while the Lionel
Robbins building is being re-developed. The remaining 30% of the stock will
be housed at an off-site store and will be available via a frequent fetch
service.

The book removal process will begin in early June 1999 and continue until
mid-September. 

The Archives Division will remain open at Portugal Street for research
throughout the summer, apart from a brief closure in early September to
allow for the transfer of archive and rare book holdings to Southampton
Buildings. Opening hours will be unchanged, although readers should note
that access to some collections will be restricted. READERS ARE STRONGLY
ADVISED TO CONTACT THE ARCHIVES DIVISION PRIOR TO ANY VISIT TO CHECK ON THE
AVAILABILITY OF THE COLLECTIONS. The Archives Division remote enquiry
service (by telephone, e-mail, fax and letter) and reprographics service
will continue to operate throughout the move.

One moved to Southampton Buildings the Archives Division will operate a
normal service with all current facilities, but with a reduced number of
reader places and power points for lap top computers. The time taken to
fetch material for readers will be extended. Readers are advised to contact
the Archives Division before their visit.

Information about library services over the summer and a rolling book move
schedule will be available on the Library's Web pages at
http://www.lse.ac.uk/blpes/ and the Archives Division web pages will be
regularly updated with the latest details on the move as it affects the
Archives Division.

An information leaflet on the Library's move is available and archives who
would like a copy for noticeboards and readers should contact me (off list).

Sue Donnelly
Archivist
Tel  0171 955 7223
Fax 0171 955 7454
Email: [log in to unmask]