Library trick or treat – 500 post-it notes!
If you missed it, last week we had a stand with free bat bugs, toffee apples, skeleton biscuits and other sweets, all for you to take after leaving us a comment. You could add comments on green or orange post-it notes, green for what fills you with dread and orange for what was a pleasant surprise about the Library!
We covered our poster 6 times over at least, thank you for all of your comments! We collected 569 post-it notes* (yes, we counted them):
- 256 green (tricks, things you think could be improved)
- 233 orange (treats, things that you like)
*80 other…(best we don’t mention these)…
Below are the main themes and some of your comments.
Not so good:
Although there were some comments about Short Loan times being too short (4 hours or overnight) and people being noisy in different ways (remember you can use our text alert service ‘Annoyed by Noise’), the vast majority of green post-it notes were about the Library building and facilities.
Toilets (51 comments)
This is a huge issue for you and we have been aware for some time of the problem. The numbers of toilets were increased during the redevelopment project of 2011/12 but there are clearly still not enough. The University is working on plans to add another 375 study spaces to the Library (mostly in Level 1, floor below the entry level) and a major aim of this future redevelopment project is to improve toilet provision. New gender neutral toilets are planned for Level 1 with all existing toilet facilities on Levels 2, 3 and 4 due to be extended and refurbished. In addition, we will be adding toilets to the café which will be more than doubled in size to around 150 seats.
Unfortunately, this project isn’t due to be completed for another 2 years and there is little we can do to improve matters in the meantime, as much as we would like to!
Lack of space (48 comments)
We understand that the Library gets busy, and the gate counter shows the number of people in the building, but your comments help us understand how this can feel for you (the sad and frustrated faces you drew communicate this well). The University is very aware that the Library is simply too small despite the improvements that have been made to the building in recent years. As mentioned above, there are plans to provide more seats in the future.
Until then we are trying to tackle one of the main symptoms of lack of space: seat hogging, and last year introduced our “parking ticket” campaign. The campaign drew attention to the problem, but it didn’t really solve it. For various reasons, the University doesn’t believe that staff should start to remove unattended student belongings to free up space. Apart from the very complicated practical challenges involved in such a policy, it’s likely to be as unpopular with some students as it is popular with others.
We are, however, looking at a new product which will allow the advance booking of individual study seats by students, similar to the way that group study rooms can be booked already. This product isn’t available yet but it is being developed so could be out next year. This would allow us to provide sections of study areas that were bookable so that you would be guaranteed a seat.
Well-being (36 comments)
There were comments about your studies, deadlines and feeling overwhelmed or anxious. We understand that the Library represents work, reading and essays for many, but we hope we can provide services and facilities to support you. Do talk to someone if you are feeling stressed. Student Services can help and Nightline is a student-run organisation here for you. During exam or revision times, some of our services can also make life easier, from group study rooms to one-to-one subject support. We are also looking to repeat our offer of free snacks!
Temperature (35 negative comments, 11 positive comments)
We’ve cheated here and put negative and positive together!
It is clear that study spaces and your working environment are extremely important. There were so many comments not just about the temperature but also about the lighting and the air. There were also comments about comfort – how cosy the Library is, that it is a home from home. We appreciate a little more how significant the building is to you.
We work closely with our colleagues in Estates (who manage the heating and ventilation systems in the Library) to try to tackle problems with the temperature. To help us do this, we would ask you to please let us know (at the Welcome Desk, Service Desk, chat, or email) as soon as you can if you are finding it uncomfortably hot or cold.
Good:
Friendly staff (45 comments)
Building relationships and engaging with our users and customers is incredibly important to all staff in the Library and we are in the process of working towards Customer Service Excellence accreditation for our Helpdesk Services. We are very glad that you find us friendly and helpful 🙂
Facilities (36 comments)
From the views to being able to drink coffee, the different spaces and facilities available to you help make the Library a better place to be. We continually work to improve these spaces from adding additional plug sockets to creating more soft seating and increasing opening hours. Keep telling us how you feel about where you study so we can keep making it better.
Atmosphere / feelings (32 comments)
It is wonderful that you feel supported and welcomed in the Library. It is also clear that having your friends with you makes studying easier.
Good resources (30 comments)
We continue to work to make sure you can access the materials you need. If you can’t find a book, DVD or any other resource in our catalogue, we offer a couple of alternative services for you. You can request an item through Inter-Library Loan where we will do our best to get the material to you from a different library, or [email protected] where you can ask us to buy additional copies of text books or resources you feel are important for us to hold.
We can also help you find books and other materials in the Library and online. The Library Service Desk is always happy to help and our Academic Liaison team can talk you through how to find and access specialist resources.
How you felt about the campaign
When we launch these campaigns we want you to find freebies that you will like and engagement you will enjoy. Some of the comments about the campaign told us that you liked the bats, but also that you enjoyed the opportunity to have your say using a theme and perhaps in a more hands-on way!
Thank you all again for telling us how you feel. We will continue to go through your comments and where possible will make changes and improvements. Look out for details on this blog and our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you have any questions about any of the comments, facilities or services mentioned above, or just want to agree or disagree, please email [email protected]