An exhibition of outline plans for a new undergraduate library at Leeds will be on show in the Parkinson Court between 23-26 April.

A new flagship Library aimed primarily at first and second year undergraduates is to be built on Woodhouse Lane, and is due to open in September 2014.

Consultants working on the new Library building have now completed the feasibility stage.  Their report shows a building which will be accessible from both Woodhouse Lane and Hillary Place, but design is at a very early stage and is likely to change substantially as it develops over the next few months.

"We have already run focus groups with students to see what they want from the new library, and we'll also be talking to colleagues and members of the local community to finalise the design proposals," says University Librarian Stella Butler. "The new building will occupy a prominent site on busy Woodhouse Lane, on the approach to the iconic Parkinson Building, so it's very important that the design makes a positive statement about the University and adds to our wealth of impressive buildings."

The plans are based on providing approximately 1,000 reader seats, along with first and second year undergraduate recommended texts for all faculties except health sciences, which will remain at the Health Sciences Library in the Worsley Building.  As well as areas for quiet study there will be bookable group study rooms, areas for social learning, training rooms and community engagement space, plus a café on the ground floor.  All study and learning areas will be highly IT-enabled.

Subject to planning approval, building work is proposed to begin in Spring 2013 and the library will open in September 2014.