Rumours of the death of the book are premature: access to physical books and journals continues to be a key part of academic life. But e-resources have increased in importance, and a modern library needs to enable hybrid working across print and digital resources. Our plans allow for continued growth in the print collection, across well-lit and organised shelving. We’ll also have future-proof technology so that students can work together and collaborate in the digital sphere.

Currently, we cannot promote our archives and resources as well as we should. Our Buttery Books, for example, from the 17th to 19th century are fantastic documents, full of detail about college life, and give a unique insight into the development of the early halls of the university. Our historic books capture the intellectual ferment crucial to the formation of the Royal Society, in which college Fellows were key founder members.

Our new design will reunite our collection under one roof and display it, connecting the college’s past, present, and future. For the first time, we will have the facilities to conserve these collections and, crucially, show them off to students, researchers, and the general public.