Fisher building works

The Library is getting some important and long-awaited upgrades!

Construction work will soon be starting at Fisher Library to upgrade our beloved building, and to provide an improved experience for everyone. There are three key projects planned for Fisher Library, all starting on Monday, 28 November 2022:

Adding 2 All gender bathrooms and 1 accessible all gender bathroom, on level 1.

Upgrading the heating, ventilation and air conditioning and fire systems

Refurbishing and re-opening the Fisher rooftop terrace

These new exciting projects will improve the University experience for everyone, and maintain our library as a world-class institution.

To help you navigate the upcoming changes at Fisher Library, we will post updates and important notices, to keep you informed. This includes ensuring any disruptions at Fisher Library are communicated effectively, and alternative arrangements made where and when required.

Please keep checking this page for all construction updates and notices.

Update Notification of fumes

Fumes from a standard sealant used during construction for waterproofing purposes, have been detected at Fisher Library. Although the fumes are not harmful, they may cause dizziness, headaches, and throat irritation. If you experience any of these symptoms, please leave the area as they will quickly subside in a fresh-air environment.

Areas mostly impacted are: Fisher Library Levels 2, 3 and 5 in the general study spaces

Areas not impacted are: The bookstack

Impacts to Library services and spaces

Level 1: (staff access only)

Microforms: Collection available on request only. Microform viewers relocated for use on level 3 near public computers
Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) reading room is closed. Some items may be accessible via the Virtual Reading Room. Contact the RBSC team at rbsc@usyd.libanswers.com for assistance.

Level 2

Exhibition meeting room 219 - Closed
Meeting rooms 210 and 223 - Available (nearby noise and materials handling)

Level 4

Partial space closure from 3 March 2023 to 14 April 2023

Last updated: March 2023

New all gender and accessible bathrooms (level 1)

Construction start date: 28 November 2022 (approx.)

Construction completion date: 1 April 2023 (approx.)

The Library continues to provide safer and more inclusive amenities for our community. This includes the additional of 2x new all gender bathrooms and a larger accessible all gender bathroom, located on the level 1 (next to the lifts).

Work is planned to be carried out within normal working hours: 6am – 5pm Noisy works are proposed between: 6am – 10am

Last updated: March 2023

Heating, ventilation and airconditioning/ fire upgrades (level 1, 2 and 9)

Construction start date: 28 November 2022 (approx.)

Construction completion date: 03 March 2023 (approx.)

The Library is dedicated to the preservation of its collections, ensuring its facilities are suitably equipped to handle rare and fragile items in a controlled environment. This involves the installation of 3 large new air handling units (two on level 1 and one on Level 9), upgrades to mechanical and fire suppression systems and upgrading and waterproofing in the moat on Level 1.

The heating ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) upgrade will improve humidity and temperature control for Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) as well as University Archives, and Chau Chak Wing Museum collections stored in Fisher Library.

For the safety of staff and clients, and for the security of the collections, we will be closing the RBSC Reading Room to clients from Monday 28 November, and RBSC staff will temporarily relocate to other work areas. Some RBSC items may be available for use through our Virtual Reading Room service, and this will be assessed on a request by request basis.

Working hours and noisy works

Work is planned to be carried out within normal working hours: 6am – 5pm

Noisy works are proposed between: 6am – 10am

Last updated: November 2022

Fisher rooftop terrace upgrade (level 5)

Construction start date: 28 November 2022 (approx.)

Construction completion date: 1 June 2023 (approx.)

After more than 30 years, the Library will once again reopen the rooftop terrace, as part of the upcoming upgrades to Fisher Library. The refurbished rooftop terrace, which looks out to an incredible vista of both the campus and the cityscape, is intended to provide an inspirational communal space for our library community. The upgrades will also ensure the rooftop space meets safety regulations, while still maintaining the building’s unique heritage architecture.

Working hours and noisy works

Work is planned to be carried out within normal working hours: 6am – 4pm

Expected noise intermittent and reduced

Last updated: March 2023

Have any questions?

Contact Brett Stanford, Quality and Compliance.

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