Where can I find out about what Our Country Life involves?

Details are available on our website or here

You can also see a details of our plans and artist’s impressions of the new galleries on display in the shop, which is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

 

When will the Museum reopen?

The museum galleries and garden are closed until Autumn 2016 for work on the redevelopment project to take place. There will be a small number of ticketed preview events over the summer, so keep an eye out for details.

 

How is work progressing?

Since the museum closed since October 2014, the displays have been dismantled and the objects have been moved. Contractors have completed work on the extensions, and behind the scenes the museum designers have been working with staff to create detailed new gallery plans. Internal work to create the new gallery spaces has now started and this will be followed in the summer by the fit-out of the new spaces.

 

What are staff working on if the Museum is closed?

Everyone is very busy, either working on the project or continuing to deliver many of our usual services, particularly in the reading room. There is still University teaching taking place. There is an awful lot of work to do behind the scenes. To find out what we’re up to, read our latest project update blog, follow us on social media – read Shut, but not shutting up! for details of where to find us.

 

Is the whole museum building closed?

The only parts of the site affected by the closure are the Museum galleries and garden.  The gift shop, reading room, staircase hall and rooms for hire will be unaffected. Access to these areas will still be via the main entrance, unless otherwise notified. See opening times for these areas on our website.

 

Is the reading room still open?

The reading room and Special Collections Service are unaffected. Opening hours will remain the same. Access will be via the main entrance as usual unless otherwise stated.

 

Are you running events?

To give us time to concentrate on Our Country Lives, we will not be running annual events such as the Village Fete.  There will be some events, however, and details can be found on the What’s On pages on our website

Toddler Time on Tour! We’re taking our toddler time sessions to different locations around Reading this term, so contact us to find out where we’ll be popping up next!

Details of the Our Country Lives events programme are available here.

 

How can I get involved?

There are lots of new volunteering opportunities coming up and community projects to take part in. Our Volunteer Coordinator will keep you updated via the Volunteers’ Voice posts. In the meantime, and as part of the Our Country Lives Activity Plan, we are consulting with a wide range of audiences. We are running a Family Forum and a Student Panel and a Countryside Forum. If you’d like to find out more, call Phillippa Heath on  0118 378 8660 or email p.heath2@reading.ac.uk