News release

From the University Library

23 April 2007

You said, we did

Since the Library launched our new feedback system last year we've received quite a few comments from our users.

We're grateful to everyone who's taken the trouble to give us their thoughts and, wherever possible, we have taken action on them.

Here are three of the comments, and our responses covering the autumn of 2006 and spring of 2007 - you can find even more on our feedback responses page.

Please note: comments have been anonymised and may be paraphrased for clarity and brevity.

Untidy shelves at Hartley

"Significant untidiness on Level 1, particularly in current "per Ed" periodicals section where shelves are so full that journals are on floor, with the danger of issues being damaged or lost. Part of the problem seems to be that there are too many past years/issues in the current periodicals section (showing the current periodicals section to an international visitor last week, I have to say I was very embarrassed about the state of the periodical section). Has the binding process stopped altogether?"

Unfortunately the Library is affected by severe space shortages, particularly in the bound journals section - this is making it difficult for us to move as much of the older material off the "current" journals section as we would like.

Furthermore, the move to providing electronic access to journals in the past few years has meant that we have less need to bind journal volumes, and the resources previously used for binding have been reallocated.

We are aware that some areas of the current periodicals have become extremely untidy, and we have paid particular attention in recent weeks to improving this situation.

Opening hours at the National Oceanographic Library

"Why does the library not open until later on Wednesday? Especially through exams when a lot of people are here before 09:00 and really need the time."

Following this comment we reviewed the opening hours policy of the National Oceanographic Library and began opening and providing loans at 09:00 on Wednesdays. This matches the opening time of the NOL throughout the rest of the week.

Signing for the Library at the Avenue Campus

"As a UK Libraries Plus user and not a regular visitor to the Avenue Campus I found no map or information as to where the library is situated. From the visitors car park poor information is given to the facilities on Campus. Please can there be better sign posting in the future."

We discussed this comment with the campus administrator, and they arranged for the floor plan on the Library's level to be placed near the lift, in a more visible location. They also arranged for the Library to have a more prominent sign installed.

Furthermore, external signing around the Avenue Campus is currently under review.

Feedback via the website