A potted history of the University of York’s library can now be seen through a series of visitor display boards that have been installed at the main entrance.

The JB Morrell Library, which houses more than one million print books, 3,500 print journal titles, and numerous special collections is undergoing a £14 million modernisation and refurbishment programme.

The main contractor on the project, York-based Shepherd Construction, which also built the original building, has worked closely with the university’s library staff to compile the historical material and produce the pictorial display.

The potted history includes photos of the earliest building work by Shepherd Construction in 1962; the interior of the library when it first opened in 1964; and its subsequent evolution over the next four decades, including the extension work back in 1980’s.

Colin Sargeant, Shepherd Construction’s East Division managing director said: “The display, which includes some fantastic photos from the library’s archives of the original construction programme, is a fascinating snapshot of how ‘library life’ has evolved over the last 40 years.

“We have enjoyed working in partnership with the university to produce the display at a time when a further milestone in the library’s history is being created.

Elizabeth Heaps, pro vice-chancellor for estates and strategic projects said: “The university’s successful collaboration with Shepherd Construction goes back over 45 years and it is especially pleasing that Shepherd is now undertaking the major refurbishment of the library building they originally constructed.”

The refurbishment and modernisation programme for the J B Morrell Library is due for completion in February 2012.