Appointment of Andrew Gray

I happily started at LSHTM in late December 2010 and for the next 2 years will be setting up, launching and establishing a Repository here at LSHTM. The 2008 RAE results placed LSHTM at number 3 in the UK for research and my goal is to ensure that the repository promotes, shares and preserves this important intellectual knowledge to as wide an audience as possible.

I have worked within academic libraries for roughly 10 years in a variety of posts including Kultur project officer at University of the Arts where I established their own repository UAL Research Online. I am keen advocate of Open Access and firmly believe that Libraries and Librarians are essential in enabling society to engage meaningfully with the digital world.   

Andrew Gray
Repository Manager
LSHTM

Services for distance learners at LSHTM

In October 2010 we started to offer Library resources and services to all the distance learners who have dual registration with LSHTM and the University of London External Programme.  There are 2667 students enrolled across the 5 postgraduate courses that are provided by LSHTM via the UoL External Programme. These students are spread across 149 countries, with many in areas that have limited internet access.

The roll out of services required significant planning and close working with IT Services staff here and at the UoL External Programme. DLs can access Shibboleth and EZProxy using their UoL Portal logon details and so make full use of all our licensed electronic resources. We are liaising with teaching staff to create online reading lists and are purchasing e-books where available (and within budget).
Where items are only available in print, DLs in the UK can apply for a School ID card to access our physical library and join SCONUL Access.  Overseas users can register with our new document delivery service to receive photocopies of these items.  The document delivery service is also offered to those students with poor internet access.

From the start of the planning we have emphasised the need to provide support alongside access to resources in order to ensure equity of service to all students, whether London-based or studying at a distance. Distance learners can post queries and interact with Library staff using the same web-based system as they use to communicate with their tutors.  We are working with DL teaching staff to further develop information-skills teaching materials for remote users to include online videos and guides.  The response to this expansion, from both tutors and students has been very positive, with an encouraging take-up.

Developing services for DLs has also improved access for our staff and researchers based overseas and the online information skills materials are also welcomed by London-based students.
Further information on the services provided to distance learners and other remote users are available on our website at: www.lshtm.ac.uk/library/libraryinfo/infoforremote.html.

 
Jane Falconer
Information Servics Librarian