You may have seen scaffolding going up at the Kimberlin Library this week. Great news – the first phase of our £17.5m Library of the Future is now underway, as contractors begin work on a new roof.
The library is undergoing a major refresh which will make it more vibrant, sustainable, accessible and inclusive. It’s a key part of our Campus Masterplan and our commitment to reaching Net Zero emissions.
The renewed library will include a range of exciting new features, including a landscaped accessible entrance, inclusive toilets, a new café with smart vending and digitally enabled immersive spaces and student support hubs.
The roof works are expected to be completed by October, but we’ll be in touch between times to update you on progress.
Will the library function as normal?
The library will remain open throughout the roofing works, and we expect little to no impact on its services. The contractors will work hard to minimise noise, especially during exam or assessment periods. If there are any disruptions, we’ll let you know.
If you’re planning to park at the library, the car park has temporarily changed. It’s now an area around the corner, south of the library.
A sustainable library
All library works, including the roof, have been planned to fit DMU’s target of reaching Net Zero CO² emissions by 2032.
The new roof will include 160kW of solar panels, which should generate around 30% of the library’s electricity requirements. This will reduce our CO₂ emissions by 29 tonnes per year and save us £25k per annum in energy bills. Insulation in the roof will save an extra 10 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
Roof works will also include new air source heat pumps which will replace our current gas-powered heating system. The pumps will be powered by clean, renewable energy which will reduce our environmental impact even further.
Posted on Friday 27 March 2026