The second phase of DTU Library’s transformation is on the way. In order to make the renovation period as brief as possible, the library will close from 24 June to 2 October.
DTU Library on Lyngby Campus is a popular place. The spacious library is buzzing with life on all floors and is filled with people almost 24 hours a day.
“We’re actually drowning in our own success,” says team leader Lars Binau from DTU Library.
Lars Binau is involved in the conversion and refurbishment and is referring to the fact that many users have become aware of the new technological opportunities afforded by the library, and more users generally means more noise and a poorer indoor climate. The activities on the ground floor stage also put greater pressure on the space—both in terms of noise and approval by the fire authorities.
Campus Service (CAS) is now addressing these issues. At the same time, DTU library is being transformed into DTU Smart Library—a living laboratory for smart technologies.
First, however, there will be a three-month period without the library—from 24 June to 2 October. There will be a mini library set up in the basement on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in June, July, and August, and the librarians can, of course, still be consulted. The students, however, must find alternative places to study and use other databars on Lyngby Campus.
The workmen will commence peeling off all the ceilings to make room for new lamps—LED, of course—a new ventilation system, and noise-reducing acoustic ceiling panels. In addition to being more sustainable, LED lighting offers the added advantage of regulating colour and intensity. For example, more blue can be added on a dark, rainy day, and in some zones, users will be able to control the light colour and intensity themselves.
Technological playground
New ceiling panels and glass walls around the atrium courtyard on the second floor will mute the sound of voices, and each floor will have sensors for measuring CO2, humidity, temperature, light, and noise.
“We’re not only doing this so users can check the library ‘temperature’ and select the zone with the best ‘climate’, but also because we want to transform the library into a technological playground. The collected data will form part of a larger pool of data from the entire campus which is freely accessible to researchers and students,” says Lars Binau.
The Smart Library project will also test some cameras that can measure people’s movement and even distinguish their age and gender. One of the goals is for the cameras to provide an online service displaying vacant places in the library. Initially, there won’t be more furniture, but with more permanent escape routes, the library building will go from being able to accommodate 349 to 1,300 people for major events—and Wi-Fi and reception will be improved. So the improvements are definitely worth waiting for.