Learning Services Response to the Student Survey 2010
Essential
You said.....
Our response...
More Community Drama books
This subject area is spread over several sections. For instance,
Community Arts and Applied Theatre can be found mostly at
792.022, whilst Arts - Therapy is chiefly at 615.85, and games
for teachers/group workers at 371.3078, with Acting Games at
792.028. The LRC is continuing to improve this section, so
remember you can put any recommendations in the Suggestion
Book.
More up-to-date scores & additional copies of the popular ones
We always aim to purchase relevant new scores as they are
published. This is obviously more difficult with the Pop section
as it is so large, so again suggestions are welcome. Within
budget restrictions, we are also purchasing extra copies of high
demand scores.
More of the past performances should be available on DVD
More Artist scores
More plays including contemporary plays, comedies
More copies of popular books
There is a master copy of past performances, so you can
purchase a blank DVD and make your own copy if you wish.
Please ask at the desk for further details.
Again, if you have any recommendations, please fill in the
suggestion book
The LRC has received a donation for this area, so new items will
be purchased regularly from now until July.
If the LRC is forewarned, we can put high demand items on
short loan for a temporary period. We are aware that some
items might require additional copies, but often high demand is
for a limited period, so it is not always possible to justify the
extra expense.
More power points for laptops in computer room
Silent study area for laptop users
Shakespeare should have its own section
User manuals for LIPA's equipment
Cleaner keyboards & log-in time slow
There are now four dedicated lap top desks in the LRC's lower IT
area with power points.
See above
Shakespeare already has his own section at 822.33. It consists
of his plays followed by historical and critical works.
There are user manuals for Pro Tools, Logic and Sibelius that are
updated when available.
The key boards are cleaned periodically; however, it would be a
good idea to use the medicated hand gel, which can be found at
various points by the computers in the LRC. The IT department
aim to keep the PCs running smoothly. Occasionally,
maintenance to the profile is required to speed up login times,
but this takes some time and can only be completed in the
holidays.
Desirable
You said.....
More copies of Sound Tech course books
More core texts for contextual studies modules
More books on music & the performing arts
Bigger variety of management books, e.g. Event management
Disability in arts - management books
Our response...
Sound Tech course books are updated regularly as they tend to
go out of date quickly & they are also expensive, so we aim to
purchase a reasonable number of copies & to keep them short
loan to make them as accessible as possible.
Usually, tutors will request/recommend texts for contextual
modules.
Please put any recommendations in the Suggestions Book.
Enter Event - Management in the Subject Alphabetical field on
the IPAC to find the items we have in this subject area.
There are relevant texts under the subject heading Arts Disability.
More books on managing & working in the visual arts field
There are some items on this subject under Arts - Marketing,
and Arts - Museums.
More lighting specialist books & Production management
This is quite a small publishing field and we have most of the
items currently available. Again, if you spot something useful,
please let us know.
More copies of a CD if it is popular
Space is at a premium, so we cannot always buy extra copies of
an item. If in high demand for a project, for example, we can
put the items on short loan. You may also find it on our online
Music Library at www.lipa.ac.uk/musiclibrary
Hip-hop/rap CD collection needs improving
Expand CD collection in less popular genres: Jazz, Motown etc.
Yes, we agree! We are working on these areas this year.
We also hope to expand these genres this year.
More rock CDs
More film soundtracks
More electronic music by Rephlex, Planet Mu etc.
This is a huge genre so if you have a recommendation, please
put it in the Suggestions Book and do not forget to check our
online Music Library!
We usually purchase specific requests and, in addition, we
receive donations from Sony.
Please request specific items like this via the LRC Suggestions
Book.
More current films including art house ones
We usually purchase films that are related to the Programmes
at LIPA, or are of related interest, so we will not obtain all the
new releases.
More monologue books for men
Usually, monologue books are published in editions for men and
women, so we try to buy one of each as much as possible.
More period drama, obscure playwrights
We subscribe to Literature on Line, which has over 300,000
poems & plays including period drama (see the Electronic
Resources page on Moodle or LIPA LRC). It depends what you
mean by 'obscure' playwrights, as we buy as many new scripts
by new or unknown authors as the budget will allow.
More dance politics books
More music industry books
More period costume DVDS
Instructional DVDs for instrumentalists (guitar)
More dance recordings/DVDs
More design books relating to fashion
We agree we have a limited number of books on this subject.
As it may only be relevant to a particular individual’s area of
study, we suggest that items are requested when required.
There are at least 128 titles on the Music Industry. If there is
something you cannot find, please inform LRC staff and they will
be glad to help you.
You can search for costume drama on the IPAC by entering a
Subject Alphabetical heading such as Film - Costume - 19th
Century. There is also a printed Guide to Period Costume in
the DVD Film Collection by the DVDs. We aim to purchase new
costume drama DVDs on a regular basis.
There are instrumentalist DVDs for guitar and drums (enter e.g.
Guitar - Techniques - DVD in the Subject Alphabetical index on
the IPAC). If you have any other requests please put them in
the Suggestion Book.
It would be useful if this request was more specific - more jazz,
ballet, hip-hop? Again, please use the Suggestion Book.
There are 75 items (books + DVDs) on fashion and design. Just
enter Fashion in the Subject Alphabetical index on the IPAC to
get a full list. We are currently adding new items to this section.
More hip-hop literature and magazines
If you enter 'hip hop' in the IPAC under General Keyword and
then refine it to' Books', there are 30 different titles on the
subject.
Keep silent area silent
Staff do their best to keep the IT area quiet for silent study. It is
up to students to be responsible and respect that others may
have important work they need to concentrate on.
The small study area in the LRC is the only space available for
More areas where students can work in groups & use computers & talk group work at present. There are not enough network points to
enable additional computers to be added to the system in this
area.
Comfy chairs to sit & read: furnish like JMU
E-mail new books to students
Bar code on swipe card needs to be readable. Renew sticker
Trust/grant foundation listings
We would love to provide some more relaxed, comfy seating,
but unfortunately, we do not have the funds at present.
This will be possible if we purchase a new Library Management
System (currently under review). Meanwhile, we advertise New
Stock on Twitter http://twitter.com/LIPALRC or on the LRC
Website.
Admittedly, this is an inconvenience, but as the swipe still
works, it is probably not cost effective to replace the sticker, as
it will wear out again relatively quickly. You can purchase a new
card from Security if you wish.
We have the majority of the currently published directories in
stock (they are often published a year or two behind the current
year). Enter Grants or Trusts in the Subject Alphabetical field
on the IPAC.
Not possible at present
You said.....
Extend collection to non-LIPA course books
Our response...
Sadly, we do not have the space for this. Don't forget you can
use John Moore's Libraries (full access), as well as any of the
Liverpool Learning Partnership members for reference access
(Liverpool University, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool
Public Library [full access] & Liverpool Community College). See
our leaflet for full details.
Have separate booths for privacy in computer room
A water machine
This used to be the case, but it was changed in order to improve
the spatial arrangement and air circulation, and to increase the
number of computers available.
Not likely to happen! Free water is available from the cafe.
Direct printing from laptops
This is not technically possible with our current network,
although we are aware that it is high priority issue. The IT
Department regularly review the situation with the aim of
achieving a solution when it is feasible.
More printers and scanners in the computer room
There are 3 scanners in the computer room, which appears to
be adequate for the majority of needs. Again, with the current
network set-up, it is not possible to put a printer here.
Drinks allowed in computer room
We do not allow eating and drinking in the computer room as,
you will probably agree, it is not very nice to have sticky
keyboards from spilt food, and liquid can obviously damage
electrical equipment.
Separate study tables with more space for books, laptops etc.
We have made space for four laptops in the lower IT area,
which also gives increased study space for books etc.
More space in the group study area/put computers downstairs
We do not have additional space to expand the group study
area. However, we are aware of the problem and the situation
is frequently reviewed at the LRC & ICT Committee meetings, so
that when a solution is viable we can act promptly.
Allow students to use the door on Level 3 to enter LRC
We cannot allow students to use the door on level 3 to
enter/leave the LRC, as there are no security gates.
Let people speak in the silent area
The IT area is a 'quiet' zone so that students can concentrate in
peace on their studies, particularly important when there is a
hand-in.
Stock video tapes, flash drives & stationery
MACs in the LRC
Cheaper printing
WYSIWIG on LRC computers
AES membership for journal downloading
AO printer
Plays shelved by author surname
We stock a small amount of stationery relevant to student work,
such as binding kits, CDs, DVDs, envelopes, card, laminating
pouches, OHP transparency film and plastic punched pockets.
Unfortunately, we do not have the space to offer a larger
selection.
At present, it is unlikely that we will have MACs in the LRC,
although they are under consideration for other areas.
We aim to be cost effective and competitive with other
institutions, but as we are a smaller institution, we do not have
the spending power of larger bodies.
The cost of licences means we cannot put software on all the
computers, so they tend to be limited to the areas where they
will be most used.
The membership to AES is extremely expensive, so it is more
cost effective to request articles as required.
There is an A0 printer in Room 5.01.
Some performing arts libraries do shelve plays by author
surname, which has its advantages in that all works by that
particular playwright can be found in one place irrespective of
period and place. LIPA's LRC follows the Dewey Decimal System
of classification and plays are ordered by place, period and then
author surname. The advantage of this is that all American
plays are shelved together, for instance, and for a particular
period, e.g. 21st century American plays. It does mean,
however, that a playwright could span two periods depending
on his/her date of birth. For example, Mark Ravenhill spans
20th Century British Plays and 21st Century British Plays, so you
will need to browse both sections to find all his work.
Self-check/renew machines
Late opening for printing
Be bigger
We do not really have any demand for them. You can renew
your items remotely yourself through the 'My Account' tab on
the IPAC, provided that you do not have fines over £1 or
someone has requested the item. You will need your borrower
ID (the number on the front of your LIPA card beneath the
barcode) and PIN (1000). Go to www.lipa.ac.uk/ipac
JMU library has printing facilities, which LIPA students can
access out of LRC hours.
We would like to be, but not an option at the moment
unfortunately!
Too hot: more air conditioning
We are aware of this problem, particularly in the IT area, which
is serviced by cooled, blown air rather than proper air
conditioning. It is being monitored.
Longer opening hours & more Saturday openings
After closing, room 5.01 is usually open for computer access,
and JMU libraries are open evenings and weekends if additional
facilities are required.