Construction firms are getting their
bricklaying tools ready for the renovation and restoration of an historic Oxford University facility, after planning permission approval and listed building consent was given.
Bodleian Libraries said Oxford City Council has given the green light for the £78 million project, which has three aims - creating high quality storage for valuable collections, expanding public access to the materials and developing space at the site for advanced research.
The construction is set to begin next year and complete in time for the reopening in 2015, when the new Weston Library - as it shall be named - will be revealed.
Bodleian's librarian Sarah Thomas said securing planning permission was a key milestone in the development of the site.
"The architects, our Broad Street neighbours, library staff and countless others have all collaborated in this visionary scheme," she added.
Among the treasures at the library is artwork for The Lord of the Rings and four engrossments of the Magna Carta.
Posted by Andrew Miles
