Donald Insall Associates

This famous university library derives its name from the early 17th century extension to the old 15th century library paid for by Sir Thomas Bodley. In 1968 a connection was made between the Bodleian Reading Room staircases and the Proscholium, or entrance vestibule of 1610, to improve security by denying direct egress to the outside. Following a feasibility study to review current arrangements, Donald Insall Associates have now completed the first phase of a scheme to remove some untidy furnishings dating from this period and introduce modern electronic book monitoring to improve security. New oval desks have been made and more appropriate lighting will follow. We are shortly to introduce a new book checking and enquiry facility in the upper reading rooms which will concentrate all "noisy" activities in one place to aid study by regular users.

Client: University of Oxford Estates Directorate