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In 2013 the Cruciform Library, Cluster and adjacent Seminar Rooms will be refurbished to create a welcoming and vibrant space at the heart of Gower Street, fulfilling the aspirations of the UCL Masterplan.
- A modern, attractive Library
- Redesigned teaching areas
- Innovative study spaces
- Blending heritage with cutting-edge design
Explore the hub
Teaching and Learning Spaces
- Computer Cluster
Computer cluster
Designed with input from the UCL E-Learning Environments team and teaching staff in the UCL Medical School, the versatile cluster is a dynamic learning space. A discrete room with 18 open-access PCs can be incorporated for teaching very large groups.
Space statistics
- Teaching for large groups:Up to 68 Teaching spaces, with 52 additional chairs to increase occupancy to 120
Study:
50 PCs in the Teaching cluster, plus 18 open access cluster computers
Did you know? The computer cluster design concept for the Hub was inspired by molecular structures.
- Seminar rooms
A suite of 5 seminar rooms with integrated audio-visual equipment will be available on UCL's centrally-bookable system. During the exam revision period, these rooms will become part of the library-managed study space, increasing the number of available study places by 70 seats (to a total of 302, plus 68 cluster spaces).
- Quiet study space
113 quiet study spaces with power and Wi-Fi access.
- Silent study space
16 silent study spaces with power and Wi-Fi access.
- Bookable group working pods and rooms
Three bookable pods and two rooms with AV equipment to prepare and practice presentations, work on projects.
42 spaces
- Grand round area
Area for project work and presentations.
53 study spaces
Collections
- Books and periodicals
A specialist medical collection will be available, with 600 linear metres of print textbooks and journals in addition to our many titles available electronically.
- Short loan collection
A small collection of high demand books and DVDs will be available to borrow from the Short Loan Collection room.
- Middlesex & UCH historical collection
A reference collection of works by, and about, former members of both the Middlesex Hospital and University College Hospital medical schools.
- Exhibitions
Exhibitions
Two exhibition walls in the Cruciform Hub will showcase UCL's exceptional history in the area of medical education and innovation. The exhibitions will incorporate medical artefacts from UCL Museums and Collections and texts and illustrations from UCL Special Collections, alongside contemporary items.
Services and Facilities
- Entrance
A striking new staircase, designed by Burwell Deakins Architects, will lead users directly from the Cruciform entrance foyer to the Hub.
- Service point
Library staff can help with a variety of enquiries about the Library collections and online resources, as well as providing assistance with use of all amenities in the Hub.
- Self-service area
The Hub will contain self-service book issue and return terminals, and Multi-Functional Devices for photocopying, scanning and printing.
- Food and drink
A water fountain will be provided in the Hub, as well as snack vending machines.
The Cruciform Pilot: What we did, what we learned
In summer 2012, part of the Cruciform Library was redesigned to test new group study and 'grand round' style tutorial areas, incorporating prototype furniture.
Feedback about the Pilot area from all users of the Library helped to inform the final designs for the Cruciform Hub.