Luton Library - Study Environment

I am a first year student with the University and I wish to bring to your attention an issue that is of great concern for me and several of my mates.

You cannot find anywhere to study in the library, regardless of which level, where people are not shouting, talking relentless, making phones calls, having discussion and even playing videos. This is not right. It is not fair on those who go there to read. There are enough levels to assign some levels to silent study only with University staff to monitor disturbance.

This is my first complaint and I can't imagine I will be the first. I will keep complaining throughout my 4 years here until this problem is effectively addressed.

Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention. May I offer a quick (and I hope effective) solution? On levels 4, 5 & 6 of Luton Library there are silent study rooms. These are large rooms with individual study spaces where you can use your own mobile device or borrow a Learning Resources laptop. There are a few desktop PCs but the numbers are lower than elsewhere in the library to keep the noise down. Please do not confuse Silent Study rooms with the Group study rooms. The group study rooms are small, for groups of 4 - 7 students and bookable.

If you use these designated silent spaces I think you will be happier. Please note everyone is expected to comply with the Silence requirement. If you hear anyone talking you may contact staff on the customer service desk on level 1 for assistance or email libraryideas@beds.ac.uk during staffed hours for assistance. If you need to talk yourself just step outside the silent room have your conversation and return.

External Customers

I would like to use the Luton campus library as an external student, and I do not intend to borrow any books.

I am a student at BPP University (London) and live in Luton so would appreciate the opportunity to use your library for convenience. I have a photo ID card issued by BPP with an expiry date- is this sufficient for access?

Thank you for your enquiry. BPP is not a member of the Sconul Access scheme so there isn’t a free route to you becoming an external member of the University of Bedfordshire library.

You may join the library as a reference member for an annual fee of £30. Details are on our website

https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/membership/external-users/categories

Thanks

Extended loan periods

I am completing my innovation and improvement project module for  my   final module in my top  degree in Nursing Practice ( part-time).  I am currently having to renew this book every 2 weeks. As My module runs until May 2018 and I wish to keep using this book for reference  ,is it possible to extend the loan /renewal periods ?

Thank you for your enquiry. I am sorry this isn’t possible. Please continue to renew the book on line or by phone as required. If the item is requested by someone else you will need to return it.

https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/using-the-library/loans,-renewals-and-reservations/self-issue

This item is also available in digital format

As the book seems so valuable to you have you considered purchasing a copy?

https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/health/Finding

Reservations

I am furious!!! It hasn’t been easy for me since the start of this academic year as it’s become extremely hard to borrow books from the library. Previously I used to order online and get them delivered to Putteridhe Bury campus, but now that’s been shut down which means that being a resident of Chesham which is nowhere near either Luton, Aylesbury and forget about Bedford or Milton Keynes it’s become ridiculously hard to borrow books.
Yesterday I went to the Aylesbury campus to pick up the books I had reserved. Turns out the desk was closed!!! It wasn’t even 5:00pm!!!! I had to drive there after work, drag my kids with me after school only to find out there was no one to serve.
I’m paying for me education and deserve a better service. The university needs to put a better system in place for residents like myself to make the book borrowing easier. I do access books online but you cannot deny the need of having a copy right there in front of you so you don’t have to trawl through finding the book.
I look forward to hearing from the relevant person.

Thank you for raising your concerns. I am very sorry that you have been having problems with collecting your resources. As you are taught on the Luton campus requesting items from any campus and having them delivered to Luton would seem to be your best option. Luton Library is open 24/7 and reservation collection is self service so there are no barriers to  getting your resources.

Unfortunately last week Aylesbury experienced some staffing issues with two members of staff off sick hence limited cover of our normal staffed hours. This is very unusual and I am sorry for the inconvenience.

External Customers

I am an occupational therapy student at London Southbank University but I live in Milton Keynes  I was wondering if I am able to use your libraries at weekends/ evenings when I am not in London? I would not need to borrow books and purely need to use it for study space.

Many thanks for your enquiry

Please check with Southbank to see if you are eligible for Sconul Access membership. If yes please start the process as they advise then check our library web page here

https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/membership/external-users/categories

If you are not eligible you may pay for Reference membership details

https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/membership/external-users

Loan periods

Didn't get a receipt with my book I have on loan, how long is a standard loan for?

Thank you for your enquiry. Your book is due back 29.11.17
Standard loan is 2 weeks
7 day loan is 7 days
overnight loan is due back next day

You can check your loans by going into your library account
https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/using-the-library/loans,-renewals-and-reservations/regforserv
library.beds.ac.uk 
click on the renewals tab
log in with your usual University username and password

Renewals information
https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/using-the-library/loans,-renewals-and-reservations/self-issue/renewals

Printing

 I wish to make a complaint about the changes to the computer system and the printers in the library. Too many times I have experienced errors in printing documents, the documents do not print whole articles (pages are missing), but it is happy to take my printer credits anyway! Secondly, the changes to the computer system, when using Discover I am finding it difficult to print articles due to the changes which have been made to the system. Why I am I paying £9,000 a year for this terrible service. I am in my third year with enough stress from numerous assignments and a 10,000 word dissertation on top. Oh and thirdly, as a third year student why are we restricted to taking out a maximum of 20 books, it needs to be more; especially when conducting library based research. Changes need to be made and the system needs to checked.

Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention. I am sorry that you have been experiencing problems with printing.

There have been no changes to the printing system. The problems the University has experienced with printing are directly to do with the upgrade to Windows 10 and would not affect printing from DISCOVER. 
Regarding your specific queries have you raised your concerns with the library staff at Bedford?
The printing issues you describe namely Missing pages this is best dealt with at the time the error happened but did you specify a page range or did the machine indicate that it had run out of paper/toner?
The second point you make - cannot print articles. Are you sure you were able to access "full text" versions of the article?
When you're next in the library ask the staff to do a print log so you can check what you asked for and what got printed.

Regarding our loan limits. We have a maximum of 20 items so the whole University community has equitable access to the materials in Learning Resources. I would advise you to contact your Academic Liaison Librarian to get advice on accessing the best resources for your final year
https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/studyhub@library/what-is-study-hub/study-hub-teams/academicliaison/Keith_Daniels

https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/applied-soc-studies