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Expectations more than satisfied
The RUB library is one of the largest university libraries in Germany. Combining a central university library and specialist research libraries, it offers users approximately 4.2 million monographs, 6,000 journals, and extensive online offerings. The central university library is open late into the night seven days a week, and receives more than 5,000 visitors every day. Over the years, more than 50 million students, professors, and visitors have walked across the classic “Made in Germany” floors. “In addition to the design aspect, the selection of a durable, long-lasting floor that is fireproof and anti-slip was always a top priority,” says Dr. Erdmute Lapp, Director of the University Library since 1996. Norma Schormann, head of maintenance at IGM (Infrastructural Building Management) in RUB’s dep. 5.1, is also satisfied. “The norament® flooring has completely satisfied all expectations for decades, because it combines high functionality with an attractive appearance that fits the architectural concept – I think the nubs have a cult appeal.” Because nora® floor coverings consist entirely of rubber, their color permeates the entire substance. Thanks to their highly leakproof, sealed surface, they are not only extraordinarily robust and durable, but also never need to be coated. This makes maintenance particularly costeffective – the economic benefits and advantageous life cycle costs of the rubber floors are an important factor, and not only for public buildings.
An authentic material with many advantages
As a homogeneous, authentic material, rubber offers many advantages in libraries – both in terms of high design flexibility, thanks to the variety of colors and patterns, as well as in terms of acoustics. Because of their permanent elasticity, rubber floors reduce walking noise, so that a pleasant soundscape is maintained even in large libraries. Another great advantage: nora® floor coverings contain no chloro-organic compounds and thus meet the highest fire-protection requirements. For the Bochum university library, a place of encounter and culture, nora’s safe, attractive, and classic flooring is therefore an ideal choice.
