The renovation of the humanities and social sciences university library is the largest real estate project launched by the University of Lille since the creation of the Villeneuve d'Ascq campuses.
Since his created in 1974the human and social sciences university library of Pont-de-Bois has never been the subject of a significant renovation. With the changing needs of the university community and the lack of upgrading of the building to standards, particularly due to the presence of asbestos, a complete rehabilitation became essential.
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However, the cost of such an operation delayed its completion for a long time. Although the first studies have been launched in 2009it is only following the merger of Lille universities that the financing could be definitively completed in 2020.
The library project underway since 2023
After revealing the winner of the architectural project in June 2023 and started the work in May 2024a new step was reached this Thursday November 7 with the new name given to the future BU. The approximately 6,000 members of the university community have opted for “Now”. Just a few minutes after a visit to the site (photos below on the X account of the University of Lille).
More concretely, what will the future BU offer?
- 120,000 works free access et 680,000 books kept in store in compliance with preventive conservation standards;
- 1,200 seatsincluding 130 places in group work rooms;
- a cafeteria of 100 seats managed by the Crous;
- and exhibition space more than 200 m² fully equipped;
- and event space versatile that can accommodate up to 80 people in various configurations (meetings, conferences, seminars, screenings, defenses, etc.);
- and “Quartier Libre” space of 220 m² designed both as a daily relaxation and relaxation zone, and also as a place for activities and cultural events in an intimate format (live shows, meetings, screenings);
- and dedicated space of 225 m²integrating the technologies in a creative way to innovate and promote reflexivity on university pedagogies, which will enrich the offer of the Lille Learning Lab network;
- and collaborative work space with 70 seats fully modular facilitating interaction and group work, or being able to host professional meetings or open participatory workshops;
- and space of approximately 600 m² accessible only to doctoral students and staff proposing 80 places consultation, 4 meeting rooms et 2 project rooms in optimal comfort conditions;
- and foyer equipped with a kitchen to encourage conviviality and informal exchanges between researchers;
- of the offices able to accommodate 90 people with an organization facilitating functional connections and collaborative work;
It must be said that this large-scale project is simply titanic, just read the figures that summarize it. As the different work spaces clearly demonstrate, the building extends over 17,000 square meters to concentrate no less than 21 linear km of shelving.
Without forgetting the amount of the operation which is quite dizzying since the budget amounts to 44.4 million euros (27 million euros from the regional council, 13.4 million euros from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and 4 million euros from the European Metropolis of Lille).
The reopening of the university library is planned for the back to school in 2026 !
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