18th May 2011 - Drill Hall Library

Unconfirmed minutes of the Drill Hall Library User Group
Held on Wednesday 18 May 2011 at 1pm in B028
Present: Debra Teasdale, chair (DT), CCCU
Janet Briggs (JB), UoK academic
Fiona Gray (FG), CCCU academic
Andrew Larkin (ADL), DHL library services, for Ann Murphy
Annette Linton (AL), CCCU library services, representing Pete Ryan
Lesley Phippen (LP), UoK academic
Sarah Root (SR), DHL library services
Stuart Secker (SS), DHL IT services, representing Linda Simon
Richie Simon (RS), UoG academic
Julia Targett, minute taking (JT), DHL library services
Sam Thornton (ST), UoK library services
Gill West (GAW), CCCU academic
Julie-anne Wooder (JAW), UoK criminal justice student
1. Apologies
DHLUG 11/03
Apologies were received from Ann Murphy, Linda Simon, Barbara Worster, David Anson, Emmanouil
Glinos, Georgina Gosden, Karen Best, Shaun McCormick, Ruey-leng Loo, Pete Ryan and Trudy Turner.
2. Introductions
Members of the group briefly introduced themselves.
3. Minutes of last meeting held Wednesday 19 January 2011
a) Accuracy
Page 1: Annette Linton noted that she works for Library Services, not Learning Services. With that
exception, the minutes were accepted as an accurate record of the meeting.
b) Matters arising
IT support sessions: ADL confirmed that this will be discussed at the Medway School of Pharmacy
library committee, which he attends. The next meeting will be next term.
Kent’s post-graduate office student package: AL to start initial conversation with systems people.
Kent email problems: The group is unsure whether David Anson’s problems have been resolved by
‘whitelisting’, although ST believes they have.
Action: JT to contact David Anson re ‘whitelisting’
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Missing books: SR confirmed that this was investigated – the book had been processed and was
waiting to be shelved. It was an unfortunate incident and apologies were proffered.
Kent Christmas opening report: ST confirmed that the report is not yet available. The action is carried
to the next meeting.
Action: ST to circulate Kent Christmas opening report
4. Student feedback
As the only student able to attend today’s meeting, JAW noted that she’s had no complaints. Indeed
she has received lots of positive comments and thanked the library for making the RESPECT
campaign so prominent on the website. She also noted that the new catalogue works well. The
Archibald Hay Mess is very welcome and popular with students and the new weekend opening is
very welcome.
As a criminal justice student, she noted that book availability is very good on the whole, although
several students have said they haven’t yet met their librarian. SR will feed back to Karen Worden,
now our criminal justice studies librarian, and ask her to contact some of the KCJS students via the
lecturer or programme manager. SR will look into organising for Karen to attend the first lecture of
the new academic year. In the meantime, SR said students should come in and ask for Karen if any
help is needed. JAW will pass this on to other students on her course.
Action: SR to speak to Karen regarding promoting how she can help criminal justice studies
students
RS has received feedback from a student programme meeting regarding non-university/non-student
members of the public using the library and bringing their children in. On one occasion a member of
the public complained about students using the library. SR confirmed that the library is open to the
public via the Public Access Scheme and we have a few registered users, who sign in at reception.
She asked RS to feed back to the students that we need to know at the time so we can deal with
such instances. SS noted that public users are limited to five machines near the main entrance and
they have free access to the reference book collection. DT noted that it is useful information to feed
back to all students. However, the same student was praiseworthy of netbooks and the Mess,
although concerned about the level of noise in the quiet zone spreading into the silent zone. She
also suggested that lots of students are using computers for non-study purposes, which has been
discussed at previous user group meetings. Although JAW noted that she has not experienced this as
much as in previous years.
GAW said that some of her students are upset about other students using Facebook when they
themselves are unable to find a computer to use.
RS noted the lack of space at exam time and the inability to find a free computer. Also a student has
suggested that printing is very expensive and could we offer a reduced price for lots of copies. They
have also asked for a stationery outlet in the library. He does feel that potential issues with this
could be space and taking business from Essentials. SR will consider these points when a new library
manager is appointed. SR noted that space will be covered further at number 5.
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LP is receiving lots of positive feedback about David Bedford, our new health librarian. Students are
very appreciative of his input and a number have also made small group or individual meetings with
him. She asked for these comments to be passed on to David.
5. Drill Hall Library report
RESPECT campaign: SR is very aware of some of the zoning problems within the Drill Hall but this
time of year can be very difficult. The RESPECT campaign, mentioned earlier, is being publicised
using posters, the website and additional roaming staff. We only have a small team of staff to run
midnight opening, but have recently taken on an extra evening member of staff.
PC use for social networking: the social use of computers is a problem in all libraries and incredibly
difficult to police, particularly regarding the use of social networking sites. One element of the
RESPECT campaign has been to encourage students not to use PCs for social networking. In the
longer term, we don’t have an answer and would be keen to hear suggestions from the group.
AL suggested that, as students are adults, the idea that they treat others with respect is better than
saying ‘you mustn’t do...’ She also suggested the best, and perhaps most potent, way to handle is
through peer pressure. DT noted that there is nothing to stop students approaching each other. JAW
noted that although she’s happy to do so, some students, particularly the younger ones, wouldn’t
feel comfortable, perhaps for fear of reprisals.
SS noted that blocking is a very slippery slope and we are looking at increasing the number of
netbooks and laptops. Following user feedback, he has written a programme that shows how much
battery life is left.
Labstats: SR noted that since the last user group we have acquired Labstats. This is a programme
that tells us which computers in the library are free. If students can’t find a computer to use they
should first ask a member of staff to direct them to a free PC. SS noted that we are also publishing
simplified figures (eg 30 free PCs in the silent zone) on our plasma screens. This is live information
that is updated every two minutes.
Group study rooms: As part of a summer project, the library is looking at how to better equip these
rooms, in terms of type of furniture etc. This will be covered further at number 6.
Archibald Hay Mess: SR noted that, following student feedback, from last weekend the Mess is open
Saturday and Sunday until Sunday 12 June, 12 noon to 7/8pm. She stressed that this is a pilot and
asked JAW to get feedback from colleagues.
Action: JAW to feed back comments on the Mess weekend opening to SR or JT
Library catalogue: the new library catalogue was launched in March. It is more user-friendly than the
previous one.
Summer ball: This year’s summer ball will be on Saturday 28 May. As in previous years, the library
will be closing for that day at 5pm.
6. Student space survey
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The survey is aimed at obtaining feedback from post-grads on the Medway campus regarding what
additional services they would like to see, particularly regarding the use of space. SR asked all
academics to encourage post-grads to fill in the survey. We aim to keep the space as flexible as
possible. The survey will probably run until the beginning of next week, having run for two weeks so
far.
7. Any other business
Group study rooms: RS has experienced problems with room booking, in that he made a booking for
DA103 only to find it in use when he arrived. SR confirmed that Block A rooms aren’t ours and we
have no control over bookings. She noted that there is a phone in the corridor that can be used to
contact our reception to see if a room is booked and, when necessary, to ask those using the room
to vacate.
Internet explorer 9: RS queried whether we are using IE9, as he’s received emails asking him to
download it. SS confirmed that we will not be moving to IE9 as a lot of the bespoke packages the
universities use aren’t compatible.
SS asked all those present to pay the library a visit to see what changes we have made over the last
year.
CCCU update: AL informed the group that CCCU have appointed a new VC and have announced their
strategic plan. The library has received extra money for resources, focussing on electronic. They are
spending a large proportion on e-books, which will be ordered nearer the end of the financial year.
Kent news: LP has been asked by Tim Luckhurst to pass on his thanks for our hard work.
JAW reiterated her thanks for all the hard work of the library staff.
Inter-library loans: JB noted that a social sciences colleague has expressed issues with the limit to
the number of inter-library loans staff are allowed as she finds it restrictive for her area of research
(five at a time). SR explained that we don’t get a budget for inter-library loans, so when we receive
library materials funds the librarian will take an element out of that to put aside for inter-library
loans. She suggested that JB speak to Karen Worden (who is also librarian for social sciences) to look
at adjusting the figure. JB stated that she has already spoken to Karen who suggested it’s a very fixed
figure. SR suggested a meeting with social sciences to discuss their needs.
Action: SR to look into and contact JB
ADL suggested that we may need different rules for students and academic staff.
Thanks to the library: DT expressed her belated thanks to Ginny Malone and wished her well in her
new venture. She looks forward to finding out who will be the new manager. She also wanted to
thank the Drill Hall staff who are holding the fort and clearly doing a great job.
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8. Date of next meeting: to be arranged
Action: JT to look at dates once CMB/DH management board have been set
JT 1/6/11
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