The crisp, yellowing pages of ageing books may well be a thing of the past for La Trobe students, as the University’s Borchardt Library approaches the final stages of a $10 million redevelopment project.

More than 18.5km of books, journals and government publications that have not been borrowed in the last 10 years have been moved permanently to an off campus annexe in order to create space in the new look library.

There has also been a push for the digitisation of scholarly resources, with the acquisition of over 20,000 e-books and a constantly increasing number of full text databases and electronic journals.

Geoff Payne, Associate University Librarian, Infrastructure Services has set the completion of the project as one of his personal KPIs.

He says the project is a means of future proofing the library with universities competing for students by offering an attractive space to study

“The library is always trying to see into the future. Libraries used to be silent spaces…providing spaces for group use has been the biggest change. We are delighted to see the facilities being heavily used”, he said.

The $10 million redevelopment project funded by the University and the Australian Government’s Better Universities Renewal Fund (BURF), was sparked by global trends and changes in teaching styles.

The increased space created by the removal of books has allowed for the installation of 845 additional study seats, 100 additional study carrels and 70 more computer workstations.

Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy student, Kat Schembri, looks forward to being able to do more research from home with the digitisation of resources and is also thrilled with the library’s new physical facilities.

“I can’t afford a laptop which means I have to wait in line for a computer…there is actually a spare computer now.”

Also included in the project has been the introduction of new learning commons as well as power and network facilities for students with laptop computers.

The new learning commons, located on level one of the library, have provided a real attraction to students who would not have otherwise made use of the library, such as first year Arts/Health Sciences student Emma Gerdtz.

“I think (the library) looks great and has given me more of an inclination to use the library… I never used the library before the opening of level one. The fact I don’t need to worry about finding a power switch for my laptop is fantastic. Also those conference rooms are a brilliant idea!”

While the physical structure of the library is not expected to reach completion until late October this year, library staff cannot wait until they can say “Goodbye and thank-you very much” to all the tradespeople who have been involved in the five stage redevelopment project.

It is hoped that the level one entrance to the library will be open by the end of September.