Refworks

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

I would recommend that you use Refworks. Please see our web pages

http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/guides/RefWorks_Intro

 

If you need to please go to your Academic Liaison Librarian for further advice

 

http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/help/ALLs

 

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

 

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.

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.

http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/pcsandsoftware/buying-microsoft

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

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

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 :)