Renovation of Study Hall A, B and the Special Collections Reading Room
Study Halls A, B and the Special Collections Reading Room will be renovated. This will be done in different stages, starting later in the year. The rooms will therefore be closed during certain periods.
This page will be updated continuously with information about the renovation and how it may affect you as a visitor.
Background information
Carolina Rediviva is owned and managed by the National Property Board (In Swedish, Statens fastighetsverk or SFV). SFV is planning a surface renovation (floors, walls, and ceilings), and will review electrical wiring, general lighting, windows, plumbing and more.
The renovation will be carried out in two phases:
- Project 1: Special Collections Reading Room, with construction slated to begin in January 2025.
- Project 2: Study Halls A and B, where construction is slated to begin in September 2025.
The halls need to be completely vacated during each project.
Library services during the construction period
- Study spaces: The Carolina Library has a total of about 800 seats, of which 120 are in Study Halls A and B. We are investigating whether we can add some extra seats in other seating areas.
- Reference books: will need to be ordered from the stacks.
- In-house loan storage: book cabinets on the fourth floor, in what is now the K62 room.
- Special Collections Reading Room: to be replaced by a room on the third floor.
The campus libraries have a total of about 400 quiet study spaces. Find study spaces.
Preliminary schedule
2024
- October: begin clearing collections and staff from the Special Collections Reading Room and surrounding areas
- November: The Special Collections Reading Room closes and moves temporarily to the third floor
2025
- January: start of construction project 1
- June: begin clearing collections from Study Halls A and B. Study hall tables and chairs sent for renovation.
- September: start of construction project 2
2026
- March: construction contract finished
- April-June: furnishing and adaptations
- September: completed
We hope to be able to open the Special Collections Reading Room in its current location as early as autumn 2025.
What will be done during the renovation?
The aim is to improve the environment for research and study by accentuating the culture and history of the premises, as well as by removing bookcases and shelves that are unsightly or impair ventilation, and by increasing the number of study places to a degree.
This is done by:
- restoring furnishings and details to their original state
- creating more reading places in Study Hall A, including in the apse (with improved ventilation)
- improving the security of the Special Collections Reading Room, adapting it for more types of material (e.g. larger formats), and allowing for conversations that do not disturb others.
Special Collections Reading Room
- higher security for entry and exit, handling and storage of materials
- enabling the study of larger format media such as maps
- enabling conversations related to the study of materials
Study Hall A
- original furniture renovated
- number of seats increases from 75 to 110
- ventilation improved
- bookcases and floor-mounted shelves removed
- improved site lighting
Study Hall B
- tables renovated and supplemented with height-adjustable tables
- more flexible chairs
- bookcases and floor-mounted bookshelves removed
- improved site lighting
Reading rooms after renovation
- improved ventilation
- more study spaces
- additional accessible seating
- improved site lighting
