THE UNIVERSITY of Worcester’s development of The Hive has seen it shorlisted for a prestigious national award.
The University is up for the National Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community in the Times Higher Education Awards 2014 and will find out in November if it has been successful.
It would be the second such award for the University after winning the Guardian University Award for Contribution to the Local Community last year.
Since it was opened just over two years ago, The Hive, a joint project between the University and Worcestershire County Council, has won a total of 47 awards.
The £60million development is the first joint university and public library in Europe and brings together the library services of the University and Council under one roof, along with the Council’s archive and archaeology service and customer contact centre.
Anne Hannaford, director of information and learning services at the University, said: “Our vision for The Hive has always been to create an inspiring space, which people enjoy visiting for many reasons: to study and learn; to find new and exciting books and historic objects; to find out information; and to get support and advice. Some people just enjoy sitting and reading, looking out across the wonderful views.”
“We have worked alongside our partners at Worcestershire County Council to make this close connection between the University and the community.
“The Hive has so much to offer in terms of sharing resources and expertise for the benefit of everyone.”
