• The area has served various different functions in the past, including as a hospital and a convent. Its history goes all the way back to the Middle Ages. We will be preserving the character of the existing historic building, while adding a spectacular glass roof and a new wing. The former hospital wards are being converted into atmospheric reading rooms with bookcases right up to the ceiling. In this way, historical and contemporary elements are being interwoven into a single appealing building.
• The splendid atrium, at the heart of the building, will be ideal for information meetings, open days, activities and events.
• Sustainability is an important consideration in the development of the new University Library. For example, we are transporting building materials by water. In order to encourage future users of the new University Library to come by bicycle, we are creating a large bicycle parking facility for 1000 bicycles beneath the building.

View the design of the new University Library.

If you are curious to find out more about the latest activities, take a look at the latest construction report. Among other things, this focuses on the creation of the thermal energy storage (TES) sources and the introduction of the new ‘University Quarter Supervisory Committee’. Please note: the construction reports are only available in Dutch.

Go to the construction report of 30 March 2023 (opens in PDF)

The renovation and restoration of the listed buildings of the new University Library is complex. The building work is going to take longer than initially expected. At this stage, there are still too many uncertainties to communicate a final completion date for this extraordinary project. As soon as we have greater clarity about the progress of the work, a new timeline will follow.