Tuesday 11 May 2010

Behaviour post 10pm

I am a third year student that is currently studying in my final year. I was thrilled to know that the entire Luton library would be open until 2am. Studying on the other levels ensure silent studying which is crucial at this time for many. I was disappoint to find out at 9.45pm yesterday that the upper levels are now closing at 10pm, we were told that we could study in the IT suite and in the area adjacent to the IT suite. I went down stairs in the IT suite, and found it very similar to a school playground or a common room. People were being loud, and generally 'messing' about. I went into the other area and found that it was just the same. Many people are unable to work under these conditions especially when carrying out the final major project which people are still working on. I am very disappointed that the upper floor late opening times have not accommodated for all students and would request that consideration needs to made for all students. Extending opening time for a further couple of weeks would really be beneficial for ALL.

Thank you for your comments. I am glad you found the three weeks of extended opening for the library floors at Park Square beneficial. I am sorry but resources will not extended to continuing with the extended opening for the library floors. I will pass you comments onto our security team to ensure that some level of working environment is maintained. Please pass your concerns onto the security teams if you find behaviour unacceptable.

Monday 10 May 2010

I finished my course can I still use the LRC?

I finished my course... and would very much like to use the guest pc to watch news programmes on the internet... could the pc be upgraded with a sound card.

Congratulations on finishing your course. You have access to the LRC and your University network files for 3 months after the completion of your course. I would advise that before those 3 months disappear that you copy all your work from the student network onto a USB or CD so you can continue to have access to those files should you need it.

The guest pc is offered to external users to the University's LRC for study purposes. I do acknowledge that as a Journalism student you may have needed to watch television news and other programmes. Now that your course is complete using the LRC as a television lounge is not appropriate as we only have one guest pc and it is high demand. We may be able to get a sound card for the guest pc in due course but it is not a priority at this time.

After the 3 months has gone by post graduating, you may join the LRC as an External User as an Alumnus, have a look at our web pages to see if your are interested:

Reservations Waiting Lists

... I can't even get a book which I have already hold 3 weeks ago...

Thank you for your comment and - if it helps - I share your concern. At this time of year particularly key books get reserved for revision, end of year assignments and dissertations. The University's reservation process should ensure that everyone gets an equal opportunity to use the materials available. Customers are not able to re-new books which have been reserved by other people.

People do - out of desperation - occasionally let books overdue, as they would rather pay a fine than give the book back. They then get shocked when they are issued with a replacement bill for the book that usually bring the book back. This year there has been a slight worsening in availability as some students were stuck on holiday (due to the ash cloud) with their library books. Hopefully that will have settled down by now. If you continue to have problems with availability may I suggest you contact your subject librarian to see if they can help in some way.

Loud Speakers/Tannoy

... Whenever the library is about to close .. staff go to all floors to inform students that the library is closing ... the University should consider installing speakers...

This suggestion has been made before and is a very sensible one. Unfortunately when the project was priced up the costs were prohibitive in the extreme. I am sorry we will have to stick with the personal touch, with staff walking round at closing time to advise customers that the library is about to close.


Dedicated Printing pc

Some students only bring hardware in to print, would it be worth have a pc reserved just for those who wish to do this?

Thank you for this suggestion. Some investigation is being done into how many students only come into the LRC just to print off their assignments. Dedicating one pc as a "print" pc can give rise to confusion but - if the demand is great enough - could help at busy times.