• Staffed opening hours

During 2008/09 we monitored usage of the libraries in the evening to see how they were being used. Library system usage data, headcounts, types of enquiries received and comments made by students via different routes were all considered in a detailed review. The outcome of the review was that, in the light of the patterns of evening use and the financial constraints faced, changes would be made.  The BIAD library changes were agreed with the Faculty and implemented in September. Following a Library staff consultation advised by HR we will be implementing the changes at Mary Seacole and Kenrick Libraries after Christmas.

The main change is that staffed opening hours will end at 6:00pm. It is important to remember that, as both these libraries have self service functionality, they will remain open as normal until 9:00pm and 11:00pm respectively.

The Conservatoire Library has extended its opening hours on a Friday evening to 6pm.

Millennium Point Learning Centre opening hours are unchanged.

As always with change of this nature we will monitor closely how it works.

Judith Andrews
Director of Library and Learning Resources

From the 4th January 2010 the Edge Learning Centre will no longer be open in an evening or on a Saturday. The new opening hours are as follows -

PLEASE NOTE: These opening hours will also apply to the
open access computer facilities adjoining the Centre
on the 6th floor of Edge Building.

• Mary Seacole Library welcomes Social Work students

Staff at the Kenrick and Mary Seacole Libraries had a busy summer ensuring that the books, journals and other resources required to support teaching and learning in Social Work and other schools transferring to Edgbaston Campus were in place at the beginning of the autumn term. John Fry-Smith, Head of Library Liaison (Collection Management) explains “We used the module reading lists and identified from our database the most borrowed items by Social Work students to form the basis of the transferred collection. So we hope we’ve got it about right. A move of this magnitude is quite complicated, so we’ll be checking inter-site loan requests over the coming year and keeping the situation under review to ensure the right books in the right quantities are at the right campus”.

• Library Inductions for 2009 - 2010

Library and Learning Resources have released the Library Inductions for the 2009 - 2010 Academic Year. Simply click on the banner which appears on the main Library's homepage to gain access and view. Or alternatively use these direct links :

Main Library Induction   or   Post-Graduate Library Induction

• Stock relocation (City North)

Important information for students on Speech and Language Therapy, Radiography and Radiotherapy and all other Health courses based at City North : Your books have moved from the alcove on Level 3 to the shelves near the entrance to Level 3. There are notices on the bays indicating their new location. Apologies for any inconvenience caused whilst we re-organise the shelving.

• New 2009 - 2010 Academic Year dates

Here is a list of the forthcoming dates for the 2009 - 2010 Academic Year :

• Student Satisfaction 2008 : Library and Learning Resources

Here is the feedback which we have received via the Student Satisfaction survey for Library and Learning Resources for 2008.

Click here to view the comments (PDF Format).

• Library and Learning Resources Annual Review 2007 - 2008

With so much work going on within Library and Learning Resources it is impossible to highlight all the work undertaken over the last year but we hope that this review will provide an overview of some of our activities.

Click here to view the Annual Review for 2007 - 2008.

• Wireless connectivity for students across Birmingham City University libraries

The following libraries have wireless access devices installed for connection to the student’s Birmingham City University Open Access network:

Conservatoire, Gosta Green, Mary Seacole Library, Margaret Street, Vittoria Street, Bournville, Kenrick on levels 2, 3 and 4.

Wireless connectivity allows users’ access to the Internet from their wireless enabled devices; whilst affording a greater level of flexibility in choice of location. There are many benefits to implementing wireless; amongst them cost savings and scalability and the students canvassed regarding the service all think it’s a good thing.

• Personal Storage Facility

As part of the Birmingham City University commitment to provide effective networking Facilities to all Birmingham City University Students a Service is available to enable you to store your personal or course work data files to a central Network Server.

• The benefits to you in using this service are that wherever you logon to the Birmingham City University Network the stored data files are always available.
• You also have the option of creating additional folders in "My Documents" folder to enable you to store your files for easier File management.

To make use of this storage Facility you will need to store you files in the My Documents folder. Any files you copy to this folder are automatically saved on the server. Other Faculties may have different procedures e.g. accessing a Z drive - please ask the IT technicians in the relevant Faculty for guidance.

Restores

The Storage area is 200Mbytes in size and is backed-up on a daily basis. The backup is retained for a period of three weeks.

If you accidentally erase a file, you should be able to request a restore as long as you report the loss within the three-week backup period.

Please note that, in the event of a large number of restore requests, each one will be actioned on a "best endeavours" basis.

Please Contact your Faculty IT Staff if you require any additional information.