Bedford - Easter

Would just like to comment on library over Easter. No staff have been in all weekend to answer queries though we fully appreciate they need holidays too. Today, Tuesday, there is someone sitting at every desk on the silent study floor and yet no staff in, also workmen have just come in to do something to windows (very apologetic but said they were told this was an unoccupied building) - perhaps someone has mis-judged the needs of students at this time of year???


Thank you for raising your concerns with me. I would like to reassure you that all student comments are dealt with by Learning Resources managers to ensure that the correct information is offered and solutions - where appropriate - are put in place. Learning Resources makes every effort to maintain a high level of service throughout  24/7 x 365 opening whether the service is staffed by Learning Resources or monitored by security. Having noted the needs of students particularly around the Easter bank holidays as dissertation deadlines and exams loom, offering 24/7 x 365 access to study environment and learning materials was seem as a very beneficial extension to the service. University of Bedfordshire is  very lucky to have a VC who introduced 24/7 x 365 opening in 2013. It is not possible to offer the full range of services over the 24 hour period none the less access to study space, self service facilities and digital services make this provision exemplary for our sector. 
As you have noted there were no University staff on duty over the Easter period and so the expected enquiry service was not available. Staff did however volunteer to come in to do some basic "maintenance" work to ensure that the printers kept working and that paper levels shelving and general tidying were maintained. I would advise you to email any specific queries you may have to your subject specialist Academic Liaison Librarian

Sally Fensome:

https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/help/ALLs/Sally_Fensome

as she is best placed to help you. Sally will help you by email or on a 121 basis with any research queries you may have.

I have checked the occupancy records for Tuesday 7 April on level 2 (silent floor) at Bedford. These indicate that although there was a high level of use with around 10 - 7 people averaging out over the day the highest occupancy was at 4pm with 26 people on that floor. As there are 40 work stations available on the silent floor I am surprised that you report that someone was sitting at every desk.

As we offer a 24/7 x 365 service inevitably maintenance works have to go on while the library is occupied. There have been long running problems with the windows at Bedford and any progress to finding a solution is welcomed. I do however agree that it isn't helpful for the contractors to say that they were told this was an unoccupied building. I have spoken to Facilities and they will follow this up.