University Library – Past, Present and Future.
The 1937 Library on Singleton Campus has been the at the heart of student life since, well, 1937. The idea for the library came as student numbers at the University were growing. The old library in Singleton Abbey was no longer suitable, and a new home was needed for students and the freshly emerging faculties. The 1937 Library now forms the East wing of a much-enlarged library and information building complex that was designed in 1963.
Throughout its history the University has evolved to suit the needs of students and academics. The library today boasts shared working spaces and pods for group discussions. Open space is much more valued; the dark dingy corners are harder to find and there is a distinct lack of books in certain areas.
But what next? How to we envision a library for the next generation of students? What will the space look like and how will it be used? Online resources are much more prevalent; do we even need books?
Join us in London for our annual alumni networking event where we will take a bit of a trip down memory lane and dream about a future we have yet to write. The 2026 event will be held on 26th February at the prestigious Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG