It opened in 1989 and had not been fully renovated since then. The project involved decanting and re-shelving the collection, revising the existing layout to improve daylighting, with upgrades to staff facilities, and a full decorative uplift to brighten the reading room and improve the interface with the public. All new shelving was provided, with a new central counter fronting the new staff and storage rooms. All existing library zones were upgraded with an emphasis on maximising the available daylight and improving the public experience.