New study space opens in Hancock Library

We are so excited to announce that the new study space in the Hancock Library basement is now open!

Over 80 students can now use this area, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It will be a great contribution to the student experience.

Professor Grady Venville, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) launched the basement on Wednesday 21 October, along with representatives from ANUSA, Facilities & Services; Operations and the ANU Library.

ANU Libraries are the heart of the campus and student experience, connecting students to knowledge and supporting their education. Our branches typically receive around 1.4 million visits each year, and during this unprecedented year of remote work and study we have had almost 400,000 visits. Keeping our library open during this time has enabled students to come together safely to study and maintain their connection to the ANU community.

This renovation came as an indirect result of the 2018 Chifley Library flood, which provided the ANU Library an opportunity to re-evaluate how library spaces can best meet student needs.

"An important issue raised time and time again by students is that there is not sufficient space for them in our library branches. In particular, 2020 has highlighted the need to rethink our spaces to better support group learning, while maintaining a COVID-19 safe environment,” said University Librarian Roxanne Missingham.

"We have taken this feedback on board, and have been able to advocate for student needs in the redevelopment of the Hancock basement as a student study space,” said Roxanne.

Thanks to the enormous work by ANU Library staff, the collection that was previously stored in the Hancock basement has been relocated, primarily to our Print Repository in Hume. Facilities and Services have been outstanding in organising the rebuilding of this space to allow more than 80 students to study, while still maintaining 1.5 metre distancing.

“We are so excited to see this space being utilised by students.” said Roxanne.

The study space has been equipped with furniture and posters that highlight the work of the ANU Design Studio led by Fred Ward from 1954-1961. Our thanks to Claire Sheridan, University Collections Coordinator, for sharing with students in the area.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the library staff at the information desk or email library.info@anu.edu.au