Tessera

Save ASSL

@saveassl.bsky.social

Cardiff University want to rip out the second floor of the Arts and Social Studies Library. Sign the petition here - https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-second-floor-of-cardiff-university-s-arts-and-social-studies-library-assl

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Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · last mo.

Very welcome news that Cadw understands the greatness of the ASSL :)

Cardiff University Libraries@cardiffunilib.bsky.social · last mo.

Designated 'Historic Asset'! We always suspected it, but now it's Cadw official! 🙏🍾 Our Arts & Social Studies Library received it's Grade II listing on Wednesday last week, noted as a key example of a twentieth century university library in Wales.

Cadw Grade II listed.

Arts & Social Studies Library. Date of designation: 24 June 2026.

Cardiff University Libraries @cardiffunilib.bsky.social · last mo.

Designated 'Historic Asset'! We always suspected it, but now it's Cadw official! 🙏🍾 Our Arts & Social Studies Library received it's Grade II listing on Wednesday last week, noted as a key example of a twentieth century university library in Wales.

Cadw Grade II listed.

Arts & Social Studies Library. Date of designation: 24 June 2026.

A key example of a twentieth century university library in Wales, designed by Harry Faulkner-Brown an influential figure in library design and demonstrating his ‘ten commandments’ with clarity and finesse in its Brutalist design.

An important aspect of Wales’ cultural history as an important university library and the last major building of the postwar expansion in tertiary education in Cardiff commenced before the economic shocks of the 1970s.

Cardiff University Libraries @cardiffunilib.bsky.social · last mo.

Llyfrgell y Celfyddydau ac Astudiaethau Cymdeithasol 'Rhestredig Gradd II' gan Cadw 🙏🍾

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Dan Tappin @oitappin.bsky.social · last mo.

Just saved these from deletion, anybody know a good archive that would want them?

A selection of BBC books from the 40s and 50s about early stages of learning Welsh.

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Thanks Private Eye fo the mention, get your copy in newsagents today!

Read the room

AFTER making drastic cuts to jobs and courses last year, Cardiff University is considering removing an entire floor of a busy, useful library to install a trendy "immersive learning environment".

The university confirmed that the second floor of the Arts and Social Sciences Library was "a location currently being explored" for an, ahem, proof-of-concept learning space to try out the idea. It says it wants to draw on examples of immersive learning spaces at some of the best universities worldwide.

Previously used to describe the old-fashioned but effective concept of going to France to learn French, "immersive learning" is now all about being inside digital presentations, either using virtual reality headsets or rooms with big-screen walls. Certainly the "immersive rooms" at nearby University of Wales Trinity St David (where students can enjoy being surrounded by flm of LED screens) and the Igloo Virtual Reality Cave at the University of the West of England feature heavily in their recruitment marketing. But campaigners at Cardiff say polling consistently shows students want real physical books as well as digital wizardry.

There has been outcry from staff and students, who rather value the vital quiet study space and the 7,000 or so books housed on that floor, including old and rare collections of Welsh literature and music. To make matters worse, the space was only refurbished in 2024, with new carpets, desks and lighting, after academics had complained for years about the shabby state of the study space.

A petition to protect the library has attracted more than 10,000 signatures and with some success! As the Eye went to press, the university announced that its original timeline to start work over the summer break had "become unachievable and we have taken the decision to pause initial proprietary work."

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

So our statement on the 1st of June pause announcement has been published. saveassl.co.uk/2026/06/05/s... Thanks to everyone who helped with signing the petition and sending us lovely messages. Here's hoping our work is done, but we'll keep going until we know the ASSL is safe.

Statement on 1st of June Pause

A response to Cardiff University’s 1st of June statement

saveassl.co.uk

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

So, the project is paused for now. We'll be issuing a statement shortly.

New learning spaces updated timeline and opportunities to co-create

1 June 2026

Read an important message to staff and students from Anita Edson, Director of Estates and Campus Facilities.

Dear colleague,

I am writing with an important update on our plans to invest in new multi-purpose study and learning spaces.

You may be aware that the University is actively considering a proof-of-concept for a new type of learning space, that would also provide additional study space, to significantly improve the student learning experience.

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

So, the project is paused for now. We'll be issuing a statement shortly.

New learning spaces updated timeline and opportunities to co-create

1 June 2026

Read an important message to staff and students from Anita Edson, Director of Estates and Campus Facilities.

Dear colleague,

I am writing with an important update on our plans to invest in new multi-purpose study and learning spaces.

You may be aware that the University is actively considering a proof-of-concept for a new type of learning space, that would also provide additional study space, to significantly improve the student learning experience.

The Arts and Social Studies Library (ASSL) was one location being considered to host this trial space, with some potential associated works planned over the summer. Regrettably, this resulted in unnecessary concern and misinformation being shared - despite our assurances that no final decisions have been taken.

The original timelines have now become unachievable and we have taken the decision to pause initial preparatory work - planned for summer of 2026 - to avoid disruption to students in Semester 1.

Instead, during the summer the project team will continue to work on a thorough feasibility study including a continued review of all possible locations. In doing so, we will engage with staff, students and other key stakeholders to help in the co-creation of this new learning space.

The plan is to create a full business case for approval through the usual University governance process. We expect to publish this towards the end of the year. This timescale would allow works to commence in the Summer of 2027 and minimise disruption.

We feel it is the right decision to pause at this point and provide opportunities for our community to better understand and shape the project and consult on the detail - including the location and its impact.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to reiterate the points made in the recent message sent to students from Professor Amanda Tonks, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Student Experience.

In relation to the ASSL, key books and collections would not be disposed of as part of our plans. We will continue to retain and manage our book stock, as is normal practice for our libraries, managing our collections responsibly including for important collections like the Welsh Collection.

The Salisbury Collection is not in circulation. It is housed in Special Collections on the lower ground floor of ASSL and would not be impacted. There is also no planned change to the number of library staff that we have at Cardiff University.

I hope this offers reassurance that our aim is to significantly improve the student learning experience by creating an immersive learning space and an environment that provides additional study space when it is not used for teaching.

Finally, I look forward to working and consulting further with colleagues on this major investment during the coming months. Further information on how staff and students can input and have their say will be shared in the coming weeks.

Yours sincerely,

Anita Edson

Director of Estates and Campus Facilities

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

We have an IMPORTANT update to share, hold tight everyone.

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@rhianejones.bsky.social Hey Rhian, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that's in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms,please may I ask for an RT of a petition to help raise awareness.Thanks for any help (I wanted to send a pic of it in place,but it's on loan!)

Rebecca's Country: A Welsh Story of Riot and Resistance by Rhian E Jones, incredibly popular and checked out of the ASSL library.

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@tazrahman.bsky.social Hey Taz, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

East of the sun, west of the moon by Taz Rahman

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@nyedavies.bsky.social Hey Nye, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

The Political Thought of Aneurin Bevan

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@joanpassey.bsky.social Hey Joan, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

Shirley Jackson's Dark Tales

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@jancarsonwrites.bsky.social Hey Jan, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

Quickly, While They Still Have Horses by Jan Carson

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Sign our petition Arwyddwch ein deiseb tinyurl.digital/qhc4cs Library assistant and poet Catrin Mari uses one book, 'Afonydd' (Arachne Press) to discuss reasons why you should support #saveourassl Instagram @catrinmari.poetry #saveourassl Have you signed yet/ ydych chi wedi arwyddo eto?

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Save our books/ achubwch ein llyfrau: Sign and share Arwyddwch a rhannwch: tinyurltinyurl.digital/qhc4cs #saveourassl #library #uniquebooks #silentstudyspace #booksunderthreat

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@georgemckay.bsky.social Hi George,your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that's in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms,please may I ask for an RT of a petition to help raise awareness.Thanks for any help (I wanted to send a pic of it in place,but it's on loan!)

Oxford handbook of punk rock by George McKay

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@philipschwyzer.bsky.social Hi Philip,your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that's in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms,please may I ask for an RT of a petition to help raise awareness.Thanks for any help (I wanted to send a pic of it in place,but it's on loan!)

Inventor of Britain by Philip Schwyzer

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@bergenmar.bsky.social Hi Jenny,your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that's in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms,could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness.Thanks for any help (I wanted to send a pic of it in place,but it's on loan!)

Critical neurodiversity studies : divergent textualities in literature and culture by Jenny Bergenmar

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@kateholterhoff.com Hey Kate, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that's in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness.Thanks for any help (I wanted to send a pic of it in place, but it's on loan!)

Speculation and the Darwinian Method in British Romance Fiction, 1859-1914 by Kate Holterhoff

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@kirstininnes.bsky.social Hey Kirstin, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

A Chaos of Light, edited by Kirstin Innes

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@edithmayhall.bsky.social Hey Edith, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

Aeschylus by Edith Hall

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@nessowen.bsky.social Hey Ness, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

Naming The Trees by Ness Owen

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Have you signed our petition yet? Ydych chi wedi arwyddo ein deiseb eto? tinyurl.digital/qhc4cs It's not too much hassle to #saveourassl

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Why support #saveourassl? Pam cefnogi #saveourassl? Comment your reasons.... Beth ydy'ch rheswm chi?

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@jeremytiang.bsky.social Hey Jeremy, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

Violent phenomena : 21 essays on translation

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@heidibackes1.bsky.social Hey Heidi, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

Spectral Spain by Heidi Backes

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@taliabhatt.itch.io Hey Talia, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that's in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness.Thnx for any help (I wanted to send a pic of it in place, but it's on loan!)

Brown/trans/les by Talia Bhatt

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@tombaldwin66.bsky.social Hey Tom, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

Keir Starmer: The Biography by Tom Baldwin

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@rorynaismith.bsky.social Hey Rory, your books are part of a Cardiff University library collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

Money and Power in Anglo-Saxon England by Rory Naismith

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save ASSL @saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@acbm.bsky.social Hey Adam, your books are part of a Cardiff University collection that is in danger of being removed to build 4 classrooms, could I please ask for a RT of the petition to help us raise awareness. Thanks for any help you can give.

The Pearlsong by Adam Bremer-McCollum

Save ASSL@saveassl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A whole floor of Cardiff University's main library is under threat of being repurposed to teaching facilities with the removal of 7km of shelving holding valuable books (including an amazing Welsh collection.) Please help us spread the word. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...