Introduction

A significant building failing is that our Upper Library — the principal public space — is only accessible by stair. The level change of 7.2m and the long continuous flights represent a significant challenge to anyone who is less than fully fit; the Upper Library is currently entirely inaccessible to disabled visitors.

‘the MOST BEAUTIFUL drawing room in europe’

The Upper Library of the Signet Library was designed by notable architects Robert Reid, William Stark, and completed by William Henry Playfair. Later, William Burn played a key role in connecting it to the Lower Library.

It gained significant recognition when King George IV visited in 1822 and declared it “the most beautiful drawing room in Europe”. Visiting in the 1830s, the great bibliophile Thomas Dibdin would describe the Signet Library as a “paradise of books”.

Standing at the very heart of Enlightenment history, the cupola above the Upper Library, painted by Thomas Stothard, Apollo directs the choir of muses as they inspire the great figures of literature, philosophy and science from Ancient Greece to the Enlightenment: Homer, Herodotus, Demosthenes, Cicero, Virgil, Livy, Napier, Bacon, Skakespeare, Milton, Newton, Hume, Robertson, Adam Smith, Gibbon, Burns.

recent history

[Notable events and people]

Design

The lift will be situated straight as you arrive at the Entrance Hall.

The key design priority is to minimise the impact of the lift on the historic Entrance Hall and Upper Landing. The installation of a lift in this location would involve minimal opening-up work: the creation of openings in the existing floors would have no impact on primary structural elements.

The Upper Landing remains unchanged when the lift is in its normal position in the Entrance Hall. When the lift reaches ceiling level in the Entrance Hall, the Upper Landing floor panel unlocks and engages with the roof of the lift car. The lift then rises slowly to align with the upper floor and the doors open.

For safety, the presence of an authorised person would be required on the Upper Landing when the lift was in operation; this person would operate an interlock to allow the lift to rise through the floor.

The overall travel time is approximately 25 seconds, similar to the time taken to walk up the stairs in an unhurried way.

The short video below shows the lift in action.