Office 2013

Can I suggest that the LRC machines upgraded to Office 2013. The university should stay the forefront of technology and it is quite frustrating that just last year the LRC PCs had been upgraded to windows 7 with Office 2010. Offie2013 would be the better option as it closely integrated to One Drive 

Many thanks for your suggestion. Before the University rolls out any technology for its community the platform/software has to be thoroughly tested so that a robust product is available to use with minimal glitches and failures. That said the University regularly upgrades and improves its IT provision. A lot of discussion and testing is currently underway to see what can be brought in in the near future.

Reservations

Reserving books at the right campus is a nightmare! You know the books are available however it will order a book from another site and after driving 52 miles none of my books were there!! Its not just me having the issues. There should be a way to reserve the book available at the Campus.

Thanks for raising the issues that you have been experiencing. If you are looking for materials at your home Campus and the only available copy of the book you want is at another Campus reserve it and specify that you want to pick it up at your home campus (choose the right place from the drop down list). The book will be picked up by staff and delivered to your home campus within 24 hours - 5 working days. As Butterfield is your home Campus you may choose which Campus is most convenient for you to pick up your reservations but please don't loose track of which book is being picked up at which Campus (as Bedford and Luton are 24/7 I fully understand that these Campuses may be more convenient for you).

Beware! If the catalogue says a book is available it does not necessarily mean it is on the shelf or your reservation is available.

You will get an email to your University email account to say that your reservation is Ready to Pick Up (at your specified Campus) when the book has been processed for you. You may check your library account too and when the book is ready you will get the same message there.

If you urgently need an item always check with the local Campus before you travel to see if you can collect an Available book. 
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/contact
I would always recommend using the Reservations service and let the University delivery van do the driving for you.
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/availableservices/reserve

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.

Resources - midwifery

I'm a second year student midwife and keep trying to access a book via the library, however each time I check online where copies are available, there are never any! Please could we have more access to online books - specifically the PROMPT manual! Thank You! Id also like to say how brilliant it is to have access to other books online! 

Thank you for your enquiry. The University is developing a very strong digital collection if resources to support students in their studies but not every item is available digitally I will pass on your request to your subject specialist Academic Liaison Librarian to see if a digital copy of what you mention is available and if there are funds to buy it.
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/studyhub/study-hub-teams/ALLs/Janine_Bhandol

The University has 16 copies of the PROMPT manual in stock including reference copies at Luton and Aylesbury. I understand your frustration because I can see that all the loan copies are out. I would advise you to make a reservation for this title so if the reference copy does not help you will - eventually - get to borrow this book
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/availableservices/reserve

I hope that helps

Luton LRC inadequate

The current library not adequate

Thank you for raising your concerns with me. I sense a feeling of frustration so it may be helpful if you can be specific about why you think the Luton LRC is inadequate.
May I point out that:
Luton LRC is open 24/7 x 365
It offers a variety of learning environments including social group and silent study
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/availableservices/study-env
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/whoweare

Learning Resources has a huge range of print and digital resources specifically bought to support your studies. A subject Specialist Academic Liaion Librarian has responsigbility for Law nad he is best placed to help you with day to day enquiries
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/studyhub/study-hub-teams/ALLs/Alan_Bullimore
Alan has also created a raft of information to support your studies which is available on line
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/law

I have checked your library account and have noticed that you have built up over £22 of fines which has resulted in your accounts being blocked. I am wondering if this is the cause of your frustration. If that is the case please return
Textbook on land law by Judith-Anne Mackenzie and Mary Phillips
this item was due back on 6.1.15 and has now become Billed
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/availableservices/borrowing/fines
as soon as the book is returned the bill will be replaced with a fine and your account will be freed up
If the book is lost please pay off your fines and your account will be freed up.
I hope this helps

External membership

I am currently studying at Birkbeck on a part-time post-graduate course - Education, Power and Social Change and I've been searching for the following book:

Against Common Sense : Teaching and Learning Toward Social Justice by Kumashiro, Kevin K.

I have a attached an image as I searched for the book and it seems to be available at Bedfordshire University.

Would it be possible to borrow it for a few weeks? If so, what's the best way to get it?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Many thanks for your enquiry. I think you have two options:

You could either request it via Birkbeck’s inter library loan service

Or you could check with Birkbeck about becoming a Sconul Access member – you may be able to borrow it in person via that route

If so after you have applied to Sconul Access check and act on the information here

http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/exusers/free

Variety of Study Environments

I would like to raise some ideas to make our library better.

In my view, library is a study zone where may need quiet and peace especially within stack room.

So could the library distinguish talk zone from study zone, and mark symbol obviously which zone is quiet zone please.

Let's make us better!

Thank you!

Thanks for bringing your suggestion to my attention.

May I point out that both Bedford Library and Luton LRC already have silent areas. At Bedford it’s the second floor and at Luton its levels 2 and 3. Other areas are for group and individual study are suits the needs of the students at our University.

http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/availableservices/study-env

Unfortunately Aylesbury and Butterfield campuses do not have capacity for silent study areas.

UCMK should have a silent study room from September 2015

I hope that helps