The Space Master Plan sets out the requirements for Library Space Development for the next Decade.
UCC Library needs to be revitalised , refurbished & reimagined to stay current and meet the changing needs of the University community.
Several key concepts influenced the development of the Master Plan project and are outlined below.
By creating open, unrestricted public spaces with social, learning and creative dimensions, the Q floor of UCC's Boole library will be a place for the entire Cork community to enjoy through cafe, retail, exhibition and gallery spaces.
The library is committed to providing spaces, services and technologies that empower and enable the entire UCC community in interdisciplinary inquiry, to share, create and celebrate interdisciplinary knowledge.
Despite digital publishing, the library as a repository of printed materials is still an important remit and calls for a reimagining of the infrequently used materials which occupy substantial volumes of space and limits the library's capacity to develop new types of spaces and services.
As the University curriculum transforms, expecting collaborative, interdisciplinary and innovative research, the library will strive to facilitate all forms of knowledge creation allowing researchers develop skills in digital, information and new media literacies.
As the library facilitates innovative new practices, resources and outputs, the need for new, flexible and adaptive spaces to collaborate, consult and work across disciplines becomes paramount for both library users and library staff.
With predicted growth in student numbers, and an expanded University reach across the city, the need for an expanded library footprint is imminent as the 2008 addition to the Boole library is no longer sufficient to support the volume of learners.