Monday 17 December 2012

Bedford Wireless & Lack of Multiple copies of texts


I have tried numerous times to access the University wireless network via my laptop and have failed every time to connect. There are a number of wireless router portals which are meant to boost signals but surprisingly they are switched off - why? 
Resources as a whole are not adequate and do not support me really at all
I am on a highly demanding course and yet for the 80 students on my course books are not accessible as the library only has one copy in some cases!
Something needs to happen to the wireless network. Accessing the internet for ebooks is key to success on our course

Wireless
We have been experiencing difficulties with wireless connectivity across the University. There are ICT calls for wireless and slow logins at Bedford Polhill Library. We are working with the University ICT department to find a solution
 
New wireless heads have been activated, so hopefully this will solve some of the issues with wireless.
I have asked ICT to look again at the login times.
Books

The university is aware of this issue and how a lack of multiple copies of core textbooks can affect your student learning experience and how well you feel able to complete assignments.
 
Where possible we always purchase as many multiple copies of textbooks as the budget allows us. We also try and buy an electronic copy of a textbook (if it is available) which means the book is always available even if the print copy is out on loan.
 
Extra book budget was given to the library in December and we are actively looking to increase the number of copies of heavily used items that appear on reading lists.  If you have a particular request could I ask you fill in this form http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/contact/recommend-a-resource  or send me an email with the details and we will endeavour to purchase those items.

 
In January 2013 we are providing the opportunity for students to buy (using university funds) electronic books they wish to read and add to the library collection.
 
We are also continuing to work with your teaching teams to ensure the items on your reading lists are available and accessible where possible in electronic full text on BREO. 

Bedford Log ins

I find it impossible to understand why it is impossible to connect to the wireless internet. Additionally to this I find it highly irritating when I log onto a computer that firstly it takes 30 minutes to load and theremore the internet on the computer isn't working either! I find it hard to complete assignments in here when I cannot access the internet for BREO library catalogue or on line journals. I find it outrageous that we have wireless signal boosters set up that are not active what a waste of time and money.
Additionally to this the books which are in high demand every year there always seems to be only 1 or 3 to share between 70+ students.
Wireless
We have been experiencing difficulties with wireless connectivity across the University. There are ICT calls for wireless and slow logins at Bedford Polhill Library. We are working with the University ICT department to find a solution
 
New wireless heads have been activated, so hopefully this will solve some of the issues with wireless.
I have asked ICT to look again at the login times.
Books

The university is aware of this issue and how a lack of multiple copies of core textbooks can affect your student learning experience and how well you feel able to complete assignments.
 
Where possible we always purchase as many multiple copies of textbooks as the budget allows us. We also try and buy an electronic copy of a textbook (if it is available) which means the book is always available even if the print copy is out on loan.
 
Extra book budget was given to the library / LRC in December and we are actively looking to increase the number of copies of heavily used items that appear on reading lists.  If you have a particular request could I ask you fill in this form http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/contact/recommend-a-resource or send me an email with the details and we will endeavour to purchase those items.
 
In January 2013 we are providing the opportunity for students to buy (using university funds) electronic books they wish to read and add to the library collection.
 
We are also continuing to work with your teaching teams to ensure the items on your reading lists are available and accessible where possible in electronic full text on BREO. 

Bedford Log ins and Books

Internet could be more reliable and efficient both with University PCs and connecting to wireless via a laptop..
Books: Popular books for QTS seem to be of limited availablity due to lack of copies. More library use only copies could be beneficial to prevent long hold/reserve lists

Apologies for the slow log ins, this issue has been referred to the University's ICT department and they are looking into solutions.  
New wireless heads have been activated, so hopefully this will solve some of the issues with wireless.
I have asked ICT to look again at the login times.
Books: The university is aware of this issue and how a lack of multiple copies of core textbooks can affect your student learning experience and how well you feel able to complete assignments.
 
Where possible we always purchase as many multiple copies of textbooks as the budget allows us. We also try and buy an electronic copy of a textbook (if it is available) which means the book is always available even if the print copy is out on loan.
 
Extra book budget was given to the library / LRC in December and we are actively looking to increase the number of copies of heavily used items that appear on reading lists.  If you have a particular request could I ask you fill in this form http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/contact/recommend-a-resource or send me an email with the details and we will endeavour to purchase those items.
 
In January 2013 we are providing the opportunity for students to buy (using university funds) electronic books they wish to read and add to the library collection.
 
We are also continuing to work with your teaching teams to ensure the items on your reading lists are available and accessible where possible in electronic full text on BREO. 

Referencing

would you be able to forward me the university referencing guidelines? I have not got any and cant find where i can access them, and i need them for over the christmas break


Thank you for your enquiry. There is not one University referencing instruction it is specific to your Faculty/Department. It is your responsibility to check what scheme you should be using in your assignments- ask your lecturer. 
Have you looked at the Referencing Pages on LRWeb? If not have at look at these:
 
If you want subject specific help may I suggest that you contact your Academic Liaison Librarian?
 

Monday 10 December 2012

DISCOVER


Please assist me to find following full research article for my reading, because i am not able to download from the digital library.
International Journal of Business & Management; Sep2012, Vol. 7 Issue 17, p60-69, 10p, 7 Charts

I recommend that you use DISCOVER to search for electronic resources, go to:
Click the Title radio button (black dot in white circle to the left of the word Title
Type
in the search box then click on Search
It will take you to the results page
Click on the title in RED
Scroll down the page to Access URLs click on the first one:
Scroll down to
Full Text: PDF
Click on PDF 
On next page "International Journal of Business Management" click on:
DOWNLOAD THIS PDF FILE
 
If you have any other problems researching materials for your studies I strongly suggest that you contact one of your Academic Liaison Librarians:
or
 

Thursday 6 December 2012

Finding a Resource


Is the university connected to JSTOR and if so, how would I access their articles?

Thanks for your enquiry. JSTOR is just a collection of items. University of Bedfordshire subscribes to EBSCO. In answer to your question I have a question namely: what are you looking for and what are you using?
 
DISCOVER is a good start point for electronic resources
 
 
Or you may want to try the digital library via our catalogue
 
You get subject specific advice here
 
 
or from your Academic Liaison Librarian
 
 
I hope this helps
 

Thursday 29 November 2012

Refworks


How to keep a record of references using the library sources?

I would recommend that you use Refworks. Please see our web pages
 
If you need to please go to your Academic Liaison Librarian for further advice
 
 

Thursday 22 November 2012

I am a student based at the Aylesbury campus. As a course, we have
regularily raised the issue of the noise level in the computer area.
This is meant to be a quiet area with signs indicating this however
this is rarely ever complied with or implemented by staff. This is
very frustrating for students like myself who wish to use the library
to work but struggle to be able to concentrate.

I wonder if there is a way of putting up more signs in the area or to
have someone occasionally come through and ask the noisier students to
be more quiet?


I sympathise with the comments you make. Due to pressures on space in Aylesbury Campus we cannot create a Silent area so we try to create "Quiet" areas which are a half way house - if you like.
 
It is impossible to make it very quiet in the designated Quiet areas especially when a lecturer may have given a group a project.  In those instances the noise level can get too high. Staff do "remind" students of their responsibilities.
 
There are signs and staff do "patrol" it but they can't be in there all the time.
 
If you are trying to work and the noise level is too high I would encourage you to come and tell the LRC staff and they will react discreetly so as not to involve you.
 
It must be said that one person's quiet is another person's noisy or indeed silent! Equally sometimes the quiet studious ones last week are the noisy ones next week!
In the meantime the staff will undertake to "walk through" more often. If I can ask to you to speak to staff if you find noise levels unacceptable perhaps we can help with the situation
 

Monday 19 November 2012

Silent Study


visible signs in the luton library to remind students that the library should be a place for quite study and not group discussions

I do understand your frustration in trying to find a place to study that suits your learning style. I must say however that the LRC is most definitely a place for group study. May I advise you to look for the silent study floors - levels two and three at Park Square - where there is very clear signposting to that effect. The floors are also electronically monitored so if noise levels go above pre-set limits staff investigate.

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Microsoft


I was wondering whether there was any way for us as students to get a copy of Microsoft Office (or at least Word) for our laptops from the university?

The University does not have "special deal" software packages for students. Students may research various deals on what companies offer to students.
For further advice follow the link below please remember you are advised to make your own price comparison research.

Key boards & Interns

The LRC department are doing a great job but I think there are some things they need to put in place which are:
some of the keyboards aren't good so hard when typing
have not seen any student doing internship in LRC I think student should be involved


Thanks for taking the trouble to contact me and for your kind comments.
 
Regarding the keyboards - please may I ask you to let staff know of any specific keyboards you are having problems with. We will attempt to clean them or replace them depending on the problem.
 
Interns - The LRC has been a part of the intern scheme since it started. Indeed there are interns currently in post finishing off their contracts. We are waiting for notification of a "new batch" of interns who should be starting next week or the week after. The LRC is happy to support the Internship programme

Monday 5 November 2012

Reservations


I wish to complain about the new system in place for reservations in that one cannot use the books reserved without issuing them. As a CAS student many of the books that we require are at the Bedford site, therefore if we wish to read them they have to be requested as a reservation, and if you just wish to use the book whilst in the library you have to have it issued which may not always be possible if you have the maximum books issued.

I really commend your use of the Reservation service and would encourage you to use it as much as you possibly can. Self service reservations have been in place for over 2 years now at both the Luton and Bedford campuses. Once a student has reserved a book that book is out of circulation and it is completely inappropriate for anyone else to use that book in any capacity. Once reserved the item must be issued and then it can be borrowed either to use in the study space in the library or to take away and use.

I would advise you to check the library catalogue before coming into University so if a book is "Available" you know you can find those books on the main library shelves and either read them in the library or borrow them

Friday 2 November 2012

First Impressions


I have been to the Luton and Bedford LRC and all the staff are wonderful, I like the fact that there are plenty of spaces to sit and the book are current. I also like the ordering service so I never miss out on the books I need-Thank-you

October impressions


 The staff members are just GREAT. They have been so helpful. With their smiles, positive attitude, and supportive spirit they add to the positive experience that a University of Bedfordshire student goes through. Thanks everyone :)

Monday 29 October 2012

DISCOVER

I have created an account through discovery however I can not login I have tried my secret answer and it will not recognise it can you you help 


An introduction to DISCOVER is here.
 
Go straight to:
 
 
If you are off campus you will need to log in with your normal UoB username and password
 
and search using Keywords, Titles or Authors
 
Make sure that in the "Refine your results" panel that the "Available in the Library Collection" box is ticked.
 
If you wish to create an account to save your searches etc in the top red menu bar there is a "Sign In" tab click on that
On the Sign In page click on the Create a New Account tab
Fill in the field and create your own account please do not use your UoB username & password for this account. Make a note of the details. Click "Save Changes"
 
If you have done all this and still can't log in go back to the Sign In page. Under the log in button there's a
Forgot your password
and
Forgot your user name and password
option
click on one of those to see if you have the correct details.
 
If you are still having problems please come to the customer service desk next time you are at Uni

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Digital Library


I am on the part time PGCE course at Tresham College Of Further and Higher Education and was wondering  what my ebsco login was

Thanks for your enquiry. You always access materials through the library catalogue not via the service provider.
Log onto the Catalogue and click on the digital library tab
You arrive
Select Ebsco in the drop down menu under either
Ejournal Collections
or
Ebook collections
(depending on what you are looking for ie journal articles or books)
click go
If you get an authentification box you will need your UoB log on which is
Username UoB ID number
Password set as your date of birth in the daydaymonthmonthyearyear number format

Sconul Access


I am registered as a full time postgraduate (taught) student in university of X. Since I am living in luton, I need to access the library of Bedfordshire university. I have got Sconul access card with me. My Band is “C”.
 
I hope to receive guidelines from your side on how to register in library and what will be the borrowing rules for me.

Thank you for your enquiry. You will need to bring your home University ID, your Sconul Access card and a passport style photograph to the Customer Service desk in the LRC. Staff will make up a card for you. I must warn you that this could take up to 2 hours but if you come at a quiet time (please avoid lunchtimes:  12 - 2) it should be a lot quicker.
 
Your visitor's pass will give you access to our study space
up to 4 loans (at any one time) from our standard and 7 day loan stock
2 UoB reservations
fines will apply to your loans so please remember to renew your items
If you wish to use WiFi at the University of Bedfordshire you are advised to use your Eduroam account for this (please check with your home University if you are not aware of this)

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Noise in the LRC

I have a suggestion to make the library on the ground floor a Silent Area, as some students would like to do their work in here (as there is not enough space and not enough computers on other floors), while some other students treat this place as a social spot do have meetings, conversations with friends and conversations on mobiles - which for some reasons is accepted by the librarians...

It is extremely annoying to try to learn in these conditions and I'm almost getting a hysteric attack.

Also, would be nice if there were some librarians on different floors of the library and checked if people are really silent in these areas.


Thank you for your comment. I understand your frustration. It has to be said however that one person's noise is another person's quiet. We have tried to respond to different styles of studying by creating a silent work areas in the LRC. On levels 2 & 3 at Park Square Luton we have 2 whole floors for silent working. This is enforced by security patrols and electronic monitoring. The rest of the LRC is quiet study - and as I've indicated this is open to interpretation.

Please may I suggest that you study on levels 2 & 3 where you will find its a lot quieter, by anyone's definition.

Librarians and all the Customer Service staff in Learning Resources are trained to help with research and study enquiries. We leave maintaining the study environment to the students themselves and security patrols. Customer Service staff offer a roaming service and this helps identify inappropriately noisy areas levels 2 &3

Thursday 4 October 2012

Saving Work

... Accessing working saved on computers in the library and/or IT Suite can sometimes be difficult to find and access on other computers. .....

Rule of thumb: Always save your work to your network space or a USB 
DO NOT use the save button without having set up the file on your network space. 
DO NOT save to My Documents. 
LRC PCs do not automatically save to your network space.
If you use the Save button without having saved the document on your network space (or USB) your file will be lost. 
If you save your work to My Documents (icon on desktop) your work will be lost.
The LRC PCs are networked which means they behave slightly differently to your home PC always save to your network space.

Tuesday 2 October 2012


Are there any plans to add MS Project to the IT Self Help Guides?
This would be useful for the DL courses.

As you may know MSProject isn't part of the portfolio of applications/IT skills that CST currently support through workshops and training materials. However we are planning for the Office 2010 documentation update which should include some more documentation to put on BREO to include MS Project. As the 2010 upgrade didn't happen over the summer that has been temporarily shelved

Monday 1 October 2012


I reserved this book on Friday and I’m at the uni today. Could you tell me if it has arrived for collection. Thanks.


 Thank you for your enquiry. There is full information on the Reservation service here:
 
on this page there is a link to a "Just a Minute" video on the process. 
You check your library account here:
 
Sign in with your usual University ID and password. If your reserved item is available for you it will say "Ready To Collect".
You will be notified by e-mail via your University e-mail account when your reservation is available for collection. Remember to check your University e-mail account regularly. You will need your ID card to collect your reserved item.
All reserved items must be collected by the person who has placed the reservation with their ID card.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Freshers' Comments


The staff members are just GREAT. They have been so helpful. With their smiles, positive attitude, and supportive spirit they add to the positive experience that a University of Bedfordshire student goes through. Thanks everyone :)

Story so far


 I have been to the Luton and Bedford LRC and all the staff are wonderful, I like the fact that there are plenty of spaces to sit and the book are current. I also like the ordering service so I never miss out on the books I need-Thank-you

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Freshers

Welcome to Learning Resources (LR) at the University of Bedfordshire. The staff hope you have a happy and successful time here. Always remember LR staff are happy to help you at any and every point of your academic career so please use the resources: people, print and electronic that are available to you.

If you wish to comment or make a suggestion about the services/resources on offer please leave a comment on the blog
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/contact/feedback

or let us know about your experiences of using University Learning Resources - so far - we'd like to know what you think.

If you leave a comment during induction/orientation there's an added bonus. Note your ID number on your comment and we'll randomly select one comment at the end of October to get £20 of print credit.

Friday 7 September 2012

Noise Park Square LRC


VERY NOISY especially in the pod areas where high noise levels come from people who are socially gathering and not studying or doing group work and often playing music out loud.This is very disruptive.There should besomeone on patrol or someone who could monitor the misuse of these areas.

Thank you for your comments. May I clarify for you:
the Social learning Space (ground floor) is designed for noisy "social" working so customers expect that area to be noisy.
Park Street End, level 1 and the IT Suite are "quiet" areas
Level 2 & 3 are Silent floors. The study environment there is monitored electronically and by security.

May I encourage you to use levels 2 & 3 to study in if you require silence

Thanks

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Noise at Polhill


 am a third year student in the process of working on my dissertation due in on the 10th August 2012, time is of the essence, and as a Mother of four I was hoping to be able to use the library as a resource available to me (and one that I have paid for) before they break up from school on Friday.
The noise produced by the building work at the Polhil Campus Library is intolerable, rather than just disruptive. I cannot understand why there has been no consideration given to students who may have to work in the library over the summer period. .........

Thank you for contacting me about your experience at Polhill Library. I am sorry that the noise at Polhill Library has been particularly bad today. Alterations on level 1 mean that the noise filters above and below the affected floor. May I suggest the Hub, as an alternative space which has computer workstations. We have also identified additional rooms elsewhere on Campus outside the library itself, to make available more conducive study environments. Please check with Library Staff on what is available. 
We try to make the advice on the website as descriptive as possible it seems that the words did not adequately describe the noise today. 
This work is being done at the request of our customer base. Improvements to the study environment and the overall student experience are one of our prime values.There is never a good time to do such disruptive transformation work so we have to choose a time when there will be the least number of people affected. We did similar work at Luton 2 years ago and students/staff had to cope with similar disruption. They are now reaping the long term benefits.I understand your frustrations and apologise for the inconvenience. You are - of course - welcome to use the Luton campus as an alternative. I hope that the improvements  will be considered worthwhile in due course.




Wednesday 27 June 2012

Problems with Reservations

I have been trying to order some books. Unfortunately it has not been possible to complete my order.
Each time when I submit my Username and password, this comes on the screen: 'Sorry, the information you submitted was invalid. Please try again
Please note I have only recently logged in into BREO, have never ordered any books previously.
Is there any way you could assist me? 



Thanks for your enquiry. I am sorry that you have problems placing reservations the possible reason for this is that 25/26 June the University upgraded its library management software and the library system was down.
 
I would advise you to check the information here:
 
log into the catalogue:
 
and start again. BREO links to the library catalogue but its best to go directly to the catalogue itself.
 
If you experience further problems please do not hesitate to contact me

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Document Supply for Researchers

Can I request this from another library?


Researchers have access to our Document Supply services. Please check the web pages here:
 
particularly here:
 
instal the software as instructed here:
 
then make your request on one of the forms here:
 
Always remember

On receipt of a SED e-mail you are strongly advised to choose the Save option (rather than Open) from the  download dialogue box. This way you will have access for 14 days. If you just Open the document it will be lost when you close it. You may print it once.
If you want a print out from a University printer you are strongly advised to NOT open the article from a laptop. Webprint cannot print from secure PDFs.  Open the articles on a University PC rather than using a personal laptop (save as described above).
and you must use your University email
 
If you have any further queries I would suggest you contact your Academic Liaison Librarian

Monday 18 June 2012

Loan extensions

I have just tried to renew some of my library books and the system will not allow this for some. I am on teaching practice at the moment and am unable to return these until week ending 6th July when I meet my tutor on completion of the course. Could you please arrange for an extension until that date?


I am sorry the University does not offer loan extensions. You may renew (with the exception of teaching practice books) items up to 20 times, unless it is requested by another student. You may do this 3 ways please check this link:
 
If you check your library account, follow this link:
and sign in with your ID number and University password (originally set as your date of birth - in the two digit no punctuation, no gaps format of daydaymonthmonthyearyear)
you will see the items on loan and their due dates. You may renew them when they become due. You have nothing due back before 2.7.12 so if you can check you account you can renew the items then, you cannot do this in advance.

Monday 11 June 2012

Overdues


I'm emailing with regards a problem with my liberally account, I'm a PHD student:
I've not received any communication about the books being due back, I've received invoice for the price of the book and the fines, is it possible to receive a cost for fines only and a clarification on whether emails are sent to remind users about return dates?

Thank you for your enquiry. I am concerned that you did not contact me using your University email as all official notifications are sent this way. You are required to check this account for University communications.
 
Yes customers are notified when their loans are due
 
For your library transactions you may check your library account directly by signing in here:
 
The 3 items you have been billed for were due back 11.4.12. When you return the items you will only have a fine to pay.
 
You seem to have 2 copies of the same book. One edition ... was borrowed on 26.3.12 and has 5 people waiting to borrow it.
 
You may return the items to any campus of the University. Please take them to the Customer Service desk as our Returns Unit will not accept such overdue items. According to my records you were sent an overdue 25.5.12
 
Your accounts will remain blocked until you return all the overdue items

Monday 28 May 2012


There are some books which are only available electronically....as I find it uncomfortable to read on screen and suffer from eye strain I assumed I would be able to print the chapters I needed however this does not seem to be possible???
 
I do feel this is a real concern for students as it can be off putting and a strain on the eyes to read on screen material.  Furthermore, for those students who have conditions such as dyslexia this can also be problematic.

I can sympathise with your concerns about reading text on screens and whilst ebooks do allow the library to make reading available 24/7 there are limitations to their use from both a personal perspective of reading on screen and copyright restrictions for printing.  Generally our policy is to use ebooks as a reference copy and we endeavour to purchase print copies as well to provide all our staff and students the opportunity to access reading in a medium that works for them. The Academic Liaison Librarians are responsible for purchasing stock and can always be contacted if you have particular concerns about resources. 
If any customer has problems with reading from a screen there are software adjustments available to make text larger have different contrasts etc that may help. Please ask at any LRC Customer Service desk for help

Thursday 24 May 2012

Printing


 am a study of the university from Dunstable campus.

I am just wondering if you could help me, I need to print on to A1 Card (doublesides) that I supply.

Would this be possible?
LRC printers cannot print to card and they do not print to A1. I would advise you to go to reprographics - in person or on-line. You would not need to supply the card. Please check this link for details:
 
 

Friday 18 May 2012

Park Square LRC level 3


I went to the library last night and was glad to see the regular patrols encouraged the students to keep the noise down.

I hope they continue with the regular patrols as it obviously has an impact.

I'm pleased this is working

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Handing in work


I have been asked to submit some coursework to the portal by the LRC. Where a bouts is this located and what time is it open til on Thursday and Friday?

The Assignment Hand In hatch is by the barriers into the LRC on the ground floor of Park Street, Luton. You may access this when ever the building is open Mon - Fri 8am - 02.00am
 
At Polhill the Hand In hatch is on the outside wall of the Library opposite main reception.
 
I hope this helps

Thursday 10 May 2012

20 Renewals


I have always renewed my books on time however on this occasion it has told me that I am unable to renew a
book as it has been renewed 20 times already.  I don't mind being told this but not on the day it is due to be renewed. This means that I am expected to return it on that day or be issued with charges. I did not received prior warning and due to work and family committments I am unable to return the book until Saturday 12th at the earliest.
I did try to return it on Bank holiday day Monday, however, the library was shut.
This has happened to me once before, when I queried it, I was told that I should receive an email first. The lady checked she had my email address and said that I would be informed before hand in future.
Due to the circumstances, I feel it is only fair that I do not incur any charges and really hope that if this happens again, that I will receive notification before the book is due giving me time to be able to return it.


Books may be renewed up to 3 days after the due date. Having reached the maximum number of renewals you would've got an overdue notice via University e-mail. It is good academic practice to manage your loans and plan your visits to University. You have done a good job in managing your loans you just need to be aware (particularly with 7 day loans) that 20 renewals is a long time but once you reach 20 you may not renew the items again.
 
Notice that the University would be closing on Bank Holiday Monday was available for at least 6 weeks prior to the event. It would be worth noting that all University buildings will be closed for the Spring Bank Holiday and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Bank Holidays too (closed Mon 4th and Tue 5th June). Keep an eye on changes to opening times on the website here:
 
In this instance I have renewed the item for you. I would ask you to return the item a soon as you can. I would also encourage you to continue your good practice in managing your loans.
 

Wednesday 9 May 2012

I'd like to order this book please:Beyond the Screen: Transformations of Literary Structures, Interfaces and Genre

 Thank you for this suggestion. If you want to borrow this book please look at our Document Supply service
If you'd like LR to buy a copy for library stock I will forward your email to Keith Daniels who is the Academic Liaison Librarian for Media Arts
 
In the mean time may I draw your attention to this:
 

Friday 4 May 2012

Noise

Exams are approaching and I know I speak for all of us in the Division of Science about the unruly nature of some of our colleagues in the LRC. Unless one owns a good pair of headphones the LRC sounds very similar to a Starbucks or a Mc Donalds. I hope some sort of control can be implemented as it is very frustrating for those who want to do work and achieve high grades in their finals.


Thanks for contacting me and highlighting the problems you have in the LRC. I am sorry that you find the majority of the LRC too noisy to work in.
 
I would advise you to work on level 2 or level 3 these floors are designated Silent floors. We have noise monitoring equipment installed to help maintain the study environment
 

Binding


I am not sure if this area is to do with you, but this contact was on the same page so I thought I would give it a try. I am just enquiring about having my dissertation bound at the polhill campus and was wondering if you have to book an appointment to get it bound or if you can just show up?
If you do not deal with this, would you be able to tell me who it is best to contact please?

Thank you for your enquiry. The University offers a reprographics service which will help you with this.
 
 
The Copy Shop at Polhill is in PO:55 and is open
09.00 - 16.30
Monday - Friday

Thursday 3 May 2012

Overnight loans


i took book yesterday the book name is Mental health promotion and because of that self servive issues problem i didn't get any recipit and today i check in my home that due date is 2/5/12 but i bought yesterday so, my next class is on 8/5/12 i don't know what to do i need that book atlest 1week, if u could hepl me what to do about that book, plz
thank you so much

I have checked your account. You borrowed
Mental Health Promotion
on 1.5.12 it is an overnight loan book and so it was due back 2.5.12. High demand items are only available on restricted loan
 
Overnight loan items may not be renewed
 
I am sorry but you will have to pay a fine when you return the book. Please be wary of loan categories when you borrow books so this doesn't happen again

Monday 30 April 2012


Why is the library not open 24hours during exam period?

Thank you for your enquiry. There isn't a standard exam period in the University. There seems to be always one group or another having exams throughout the year. We do not have resources or demand to open 24/7.
In response to specific customer use patterns and following on from the success of this feature in 2011 Learning Resources will be extending the opening hours of the Library floors at Polhill Library and Park Square LRC May 2012. This is intended to support students through revision, major assignments and dissertation writing in May
Bedford, Polhill Library
Monday - Friday
22.00 - 00.00 additional library opening times
23 April - 11 May (excluding Mon 7 May University Buildings closed for Bank Holiday)
Luton, Park Square LRC
Monday - Friday
22.00 - 02.00 additional library floors opening times
8 May - 25 May 2012
 

Silent Areas Park Square


there should be a mechanism to deter students from using "silent areas" as meeting points to chat in groups. an instant e-mail alert to wardens would do. Some of us can only study in the library due to disruptions at home.

There is. Sound Ear devices are in operation on levels 2 and 3 of Park Square LRC. These are linked to staff pcs and monitored so that peaks in sound levels (red on the display) mean that staff will attend.

Due to customer demand levels 2 and 3 Park Square LRC are designated Silent Study areas.
From April 2012 noise levels will be electronically monitored via the Sound Ear II system. There is a light display in the shape of an outline of an ear on each floor. The outline has three bands of colour:
Green - Silent - quiet
Yellow - just acceptable sound level
Red - too loud
If noise levels exceed the preset levels and the Red indicator is lit this is transmitted to a staff PC. Staff will investigate and where necessary, sanctions will be imposed.

There are Silent areas only on levels 2 & 3 if it is too noisy please report this to staff so we can adjust the noise levels on the monitoring equipment

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Heating, Park Square LRC


I would like to complain about the temperatures in the library, especially on second and third floor which is quite low for more than a week now.

I can understand that since the temperatures outside are decreasing and some facilities comprise single-glass windows, it is not easy to maintain a certain temperature. But it has been hard for me to work in the Library, so hard that I wanted to let you know about this.

It would be nice, if the heaters would be switched on at least for a minimal amount of time.

I am very sorry but the the heating has completely broken down at Park Square LRC. We are waiting for a part to arrive before any repairs can be done. Unfortunately the unseasonably cold weather has exacerbated this situation. 
Please be assured that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible

WiFi

Learning Resources received this e-mail:

The site(s) my comments relates to : Bedford campus, Polhill Avenue
My comments/suggestions : The wi-fi is truly appalling, a lot of the time i can't even connect and when i do manage to connect the speed is very slow. Why offer wi-fi if it doesn't work

Please could the person who sent this provide a few more details? We need to know where you tried to connect in the Library and day, date and time. That will help us give you some useful information. Thanks

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Number of loans

Is there any way the number of books that can be borrowed from the library can be increased to 20 if only for 3rd year? I am in my final year, doing my degree on a full time basis,working full time,coming to Uni one day a week and live 20 miles away so 'popping in' isn't really an option

Learning Resources welcomes any suggestions on changes to service. In February we had a similar request and investigated it with the Student Union. The resource impact was considered across the whole student community and at that time one request did not indicate a significant demand.
With your request two people have asked about an increase in the number of items on loan this academic year. This does not indicate a significant demand and will not be introduced at this time.
Please remember to take advantage of the 20 renewal facility offered by the University to avoid fines
This should ease managing your loans on a one day a week visit to the Campus.

Regulations

When a student has forgotten their library card at present they are unable to enter the library.
If this occurs, surely the staff could assist the student by by taking the students account details to check the photo is the same person, then access could be permitted.

It is a University requirement for anyone to produce their ID when requested at any time. It is part of the Regulations and is written on the back of your ID card. There is no alternative to this.

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Group Study Space

Whilst I understand that the Social Learning Space is designed for group projects and for students to share ideas, the noise levels that occur in this learning space are ridiculous.


Thank you for your comments.
I do sympathise. The Social Learning Space is just that so there will be occasions when the noise level is quite high.
We have done a lot of work in Learning Resources to create a variety of Study Environments in the LRC to support the learning experiences offered by the University of Bedfordshire. I would advise that if you need quieter group study space the hexagonal tables on level 1 Church End LRC or the ground floor Park Street end LRC are your best spot. You can understand that group work - by its very nature - would impact negatively on Silent work areas so look out for the quieter areas.

Friday 16 March 2012

Wifi

Is there anything you can do about the horrible Wifi speed at Park Square? During the week studying at the library is dreadful, due to the fact that the wifi connection is so slow and it actually cuts you off sometimes, because it cannot cope with all the students accessing the network.
I am aware of the issues and have recently had some more WiFi heads installed to increase capacity in the Social Learning Space, IT Suite and Level 1. A survey of these areas has also just been completed and I am trying to secure funding to install more WiFi heads to increase capacity further. Hopefully this work will be completed in the next couple of months.

I would be grateful if you could let me know in which area you were using WiFi and at what time so I can investigate further?

I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and assure you that we are working to resolve any WiFI issues that arise.


Tuesday 13 March 2012

Noise in the Silent Areas

I am just wondering why isnt there anyone monitoring in the Library. It is hard to focus when student's talk very loud in the Silent library. I mean there is a reason why it is a silent area. I am hoping for some serious action's, because this problems has been ongoing since I have started the uni, there has been no improvements.
Thank you for your enquiry. I am sorry that the Silent areas have not met your expectations.
At Park Square levels 2 and 3 are designated Silent floors with clear signage and regular security patrols. If noise levels exceed expectations this needs to be reported to the Customer Service desk on level 1 of the LRC so a security patrol can be called in to review the area and - if necessary - issue Written Warnings.