It has today been announced that the Edward Boyle library will close on the 5th June for refurbishment work that will continue until early 2017.

Although the University’s biggest library will partially re-open in autumn 2015, with 1,000 study spaces available, and full access to science and engineering texts, the refurbishment will leave more than half of the building off-limits.

In an announcement on the University website, a spokesperson said: “The refurbishment is an opportunity to overhaul not just the look and feel of the building, which will be greatly enhanced, but also the infrastructure.

“This means that the building will be lighter and airier all year round – a truly comfortable and inspiring space in which to study.”

The University has also announced that during the next 18 months, ‘core texts’ and ‘high demand texts’ will be moved to the new Laidlaw Library, which is set to open over the Summer, while the science, engineering and textiles journals have been relocated to the Brotherton Library.

Second-year English student James Davies said: “It’s a sad day. I love the Eddy B, it has become a huge part of my degree, and one I shall sorely miss during my final year.”

The news comes just months after the announcement that parts of LUU will also be closed next year as part of a 20 million pound refurbishment project starting in Winter 2015/2016.

Greg Whitaker