Brotherton Library Refurbishment

The Special Collections Reading room was built in c1995 in the West Building of the Brotherton Library. It was designed as a secure, silent study space for users to access the most valuable and unique assets of the Library. In the following 25 years the space had no modification and facilities became limited for the changed needs of users who wanted to work collaboratively.

John Bedford approached the Library as a potential home for his Library of Furniture History. The collection was a good fit for Special Collections, with serious research and teaching potential. John Bedford wanted his collection to be accessible for future scholarship and recognised the financial investment required, dedicating a percentage of his Estate to supporting his collection. The John Bedford Will Trust enacted John’s wishes. They recognised the opportunity to build a dedicated teaching space as part of the Special Collections Research centre and tackle broader user feedback about the limitations of the existing space for collection engagement.

The new Brotherton Research Centre has been designed to be welcoming, with comfortable space to take a break from intensive study and enjoy displays of highlights from the collections. The focus has moved to collaborative work – with noisy, interactive group space designed for users to congregate and discuss collection items. Silent study space is still available, and is soundproofed for the first time for scholars who still require concentration.

The John Bedford Room is a new space for an increased number of teaching and research events, with high tech visualisers to support multimode activity for onsite and remote users to engage with collections. There are small private meeting spaces for researchers and donors to meet with curatorial staff and to undertake ‘virtual’ consultations.

The spaces are for everyone at any stage of their research journey, to be inspired by unique collections and get involved in the creation of new knowledge.