As part of a £33 million ($53.21 million) programme to safeguard the long-term future of the national newspaper collection, the Newspaper Storage Building (NSB) will have a capacity to store about 33 linear kilometres of newspapers.
The design of the new NSB is based on the designs of the Additional Storage Building and is characterised by its full temperature and humidity control, which will enable the British Library’s print newspaper collection to be kept in archival standard conditions for the first time ever.
According to Kier, the size and characteristics of the NSB makes it one of the most remarkable library buildings in the world. The main storage void measures 24m-high by 24m-wide by 64-m high, while the temperature in the void will be a constant 14°C with 55% humidity to lengthen the life of fragile newspaper. The level of oxygen in the void will be maintained at 14.6%.
The store will be completely dark. To eliminate fire risk, the levels of oxygen in the airtight storage void will be reduced. The void will be completely inaccessible by any staff. The newspapers will be retrieved or stored by means of an automated storage system, which will deliver items through airlocks to an adjacent retrieval area.
The newspaper stored at the Boston Spa NSW will be accessible via microfilm or digital copies, which will be made available in a dedicated Reading Room at the Library’s main St Pancras site.
Kier has completed construction of the exterior of the building and is undertaking installation of the 20m-high automated racking, which is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2013. The building is scheduled for opening in the third quarter of 2013.
