library
news
The revision edition
April 2012
93
% of students think
the Library provides a
good service (Library Survey 2011)
Librarian, Kitty Inglis, believes that
the huge increase in satisfaction is
due in large part to the new spaces,
services and facilities in the Library.
‘We listened very closely to what
students have told us in surveys, such
as the Library survey and the National
Student Survey, and planned the
refurbishment very much around what
our users wanted.’
This general increase in satisfaction is
replicated in other key areas:
83%
felt that the Library
provides a good range
of books – up from 58%
in 2007
85%
felt that the Library
provides a good range
of online services – up
from 62% in 2007
71%
of respondents use the
Library at least once a
week and over a third
visit most days.
d
se
t u one
s
Mo dy Z
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Shhhhhh
As they approach their final exams,
this is a most important time for third
year students and the Library is one of
their essential resources. During these
crucial weeks in particular, we feel the
Library should be a space conducive to
study, revision and preparation.
hh!
Undergraduates who will be finalists
themselves in only a couple of years
are well aware of the pressure on their
peers, but we would ask all Library
users to show consideration and offer
their full support to those currently
preparing for exams.
In the zones
The Library is home to many different
users: from undergraduate students to
members of the public, postgraduate
researchers to academics.
Throughout the refurbishment we
listened to what students wanted from
their new Library and the varying needs
are reflected in a range of flexible study
spaces.
Silent study
Silent
individual study
Phones/mp3
players etc.
Talking
Eating
or drinking
These study areas are divided into three
different zones: Silent study, Social
study and Quiet study. To help navigate
them we have put up highly visible
banners. These markers also provide a
useful reminder of the level of behaviour
required in that particular zone.
In addition to these areas there are a
number of group study rooms equipped
with PCs and whiteboards which can be
booked online up to a week in advance.
Social study
Quiet group
work
Quiet study
Quiet individual
study
•No phone calls. Phones to be kept
on silent
•All mobile devices must be inaudible
to other users
•No eating/drinking except for
bottled water
1
library news
A space for everything
Though the recent survey confirmed
silent zones as being those most
popular with students, various other
spaces are also available: a teaching
and viewing room, a flexible open
learning area and over a dozen
bookable group study rooms.
In response to your requests, we have
also increased the individual silent study
and flat desk areas.
Finalists countdown
To assist Finalists in using the Library
for their research, we have created
an online guide. It provides study tips
and access to the ‘Ask us a question’
instant messaging service. This
resource is available using the subject
guides and other tutorials links on the
Library home page.
A quiet word
from Gráinne Mac Dermott
Lending Services Manager
‘Many users feel strongly that the
use of phones and other mobile
devices, loud talking and food
consumption is behaviour that
can make it hard to study in the
Library.’
of students surveyed
with the policy that
93% agree
mobile phones must be
kept on silent and that
calls are permitted only in
closed stairwells.
As part of the refurbishment, a new
cafe, bookshop and social space are
now open to all Library users – with
a courtyard area, hot and cold food,
vending machines and twenty four hour
access.
We hope that students will find this a
good place to break from study and
enjoy chatting, drinking coffee, eating
food and generally relaxing.
The cafe also sells bottled water.
QuieteR places
Look out for the QR
codes in the quieter
areas of the Library. If
someone’s causing a
disturbance, you can
scan the QR code
to alert staff at the
Information Hub.
More connected
Over a hundred new computers have
been installed in the Library at the end
of 2011, including a number of iMacs.
Significant improvements have also
been made to the speed, reliability and
coverage of Wi-Fi within the Library,
to enable students to use laptops and
other devices as appropriate.
To support this increased capacity there
is now an IT Helpdesk operating from
the Library Information Hub at peak
times during term.
Employment opportunities – Now in the Library
As a Sussex undergraduate,
postgraduate or researcher, the Careers
and Employability Centre is here for
you. We’re currently advertising 500
jobs including part-time, vacation/
internship, voluntary and graduate
opportunities: www.sussex.ac.uk/
careers/vacancies
Our friendly front line staff offer dropin appointments during term time and
are happy to give advice via phone
(01273 678429) or e-guidance via:
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/aboutus/
contact
2
‘In response to your requests and
in order to address these issues,
we have established a Student/
Library working group and hope
the designation of various zones
as Quiet, Silent or Social will be
a clear first step in making the
Library a better place to work.’
Finalists might like to know that you can
use all the services for up to three years
after graduation, or if you’re intermitting.
What’s the Zebra all
about? Answer: the
Sussex Plus initiative,
designed to help you
connect your expertise
and build a Sussex Plus web-based
CV. We’re offering three £100 prizes
for the best Sussex Plus webfolio and
the deadline is 30th April 2012: www.
sussex.ac.uk/careers/sussexplus/
Wake up!
Don’t spill the coffee
Our policy regarding foodstuffs in the
Library is very simple. Everything
except bottled water is prohibited.
The reasons for this are also
straightforward:
1. Computers and keyboards are
easily damaged by spillages.
2. Food and food fragments attract
vermin to the Library.
3. Damage to books is expensive for
us and for you.
4. Eating noise and food smells can
distract those trying to study.