Bedford Library Level 3 Refurbishment

Over the summer of 2009, and to address one of the main student concerns expressed in the National Student Survey, the top floor of the Bedford Library was fully refurbished to provide a much enhanced space and environment for silent study. The new layout and makeover have resulted in an increase in seating capacity, improved energy efficient lighting, bright furniture and décor to aid searching for books on the shelves and general study. A bookable group study room has been added and the wireless network extended with additional power delivered to study tables to allow laptop work to take place. A successful official launch took place on December 8th.

tlc@bedford and Usage
tlc@bedford, the social learning space on Level 2 of the Bedford Library, has bedded down after its launch in October 2008. Usage of the Bedford Library is up by as much as 63% when compared with levels of usage in 2007 – and also up at least 10% in the Founder’s Library. Also, from tlc, the Library now successfully hosts a one-stop-shop enquiry service for Library/IT enquiries (introduced fully in 2009/10), thereby handling increased face to face enquiries.


Student Experience Working Group

There has been considerable activity on the student experience front. Following some disappointing library provision results in the National Student Survey, a Library and Learning Resources Group has been set up, reporting to the Student Experience Steering Committee. One of four such sub-groups, it was tasked to come up with three realisable quick wins: a) increased Library opening hours; b) increased size of Short Loan Collection easing pressure on core textbook availability; c) provision of a central and visible list/calendar of learning spaces available across campus with details of opening hours, facilities – to be put in place in advance of examination period. Further work is being done on each of these, in particular on increased opening during term-time evenings and weekends.
A concerted effort has also been made to promote the Library service more effectively. One example of this is the recent publication of `You said, we Did: working together to improve library and IT services’. As its title suggests, it is an illustrated flier showing how survey feedback has been listened to and addressed across a whole range of functions and services in the Library and IT.


E-Library improvements

The Library moved rapidly during the Summer (once a temporary Systems Officer had been recruited) to address student concerns about the difficulty of finding information using the Library’s Metalib federated search system. A three month project resulted in the first UK implementation of the Xerxes open source interface for Metalib, offering a cleaner, simpler and more intuitive user experience. The opportunity was taken to rationalize and recategorise Metalib and SFX content at the same time in order to improve the quality of the search results obtained. Finally, we were able to setup selected access to our e-resources for our SWan users through the new interface as well in time for the start of term. Interim improvements are also planned for the Library’s off-campus authentication and OPAC on the back of this work whilst we continue to make the case to the College for investment in next generation discovery systems.


Open Access Publications Policy

The Library has drafted and so far successfully shepherded an Open Access Publications Policy paper through various committees and Faculty Board. The paper now moves on to the Academic Board for final approval for a mandate to deposit research outputs in Royal Holloway’s research information system and repository.


E-thesis Submission Paper

Along similar lines, the Learning Teaching and Quality Committee endorsed the Library’s paper and proposals on the case for electronic submission of theses. A cross-College working group has been set up to take this forward to fruition, hopefully in time for the 2010/11 academic year.


Budget Allocation Formula

This term has seen the first meeting of the Budget Allocation Formula Working Group (involving Library, academic and Strategy Unit membership). Its focus is on the currently outmoded formula for distribution of the information provision element of the Library budget. More specifically the Group has to do the following:
• undertake a full review of the current formula looking at strengths and weaknesses
• carry out a benchmarking exercise looking at how other academic libraries approach managing information resources budgets and their use of budget allocation methodologies
• develop an options appraisal for wider consultation
• make a recommendation on a new formula for implementation in the academic year 2010/11


Recycling

In recent months, the Management Team has overseen the revision and updating of a whole range of policy statements. A particular success has been a new staff environmental policy. This work, energetically led by a graduate trainee, culminated in a publicity campaign and the provision of a multitude of recycling bins and receptacles, all of which have been met with the full support and cooperation of the student body and have added yet more colour to tlc@bedford. A joint Red Nose Day venture with our students led to the concerted collection of fines on that day and their subsequent gift to charities.


John Tuck
Director of Library Services
Royal Holloway