The Palmerston North campus of Massey University has undergone a real makeover over the past year and the Library has been a big part of this. We asked Campus Librarian Linda Palmer to talk about some of the changes that have taken place -
Turitea Library update – the student experience
What will your students experience when visiting the Turitea library in 2006? Well, they can still find a quiet corner to study, and possibly a paper journal issue to browse, but they are more likely to be joining the thousands of students using the Information Commons each day, discussing their work at a group study table, and enjoying a coffee at the Library café! Level 2 of the Library is a busy and noisy place: there are nearly 100 PCs where students can read their email, access their online paper, search databases for full-text journal articles, and write their assignment. Professional assistance is available from library and specialist IT staff, with someone available during all opening hours – we provide help but also take the opportunity to teach information literacy and IT skills. In addition, the café is open 9am – 5pm during the week, a vending machine provides cold drinks, and the growing demand for group study is supported in an increasing number of group discussion tables throughout the building.
For staff and students who prefer a quieter environment there are still a large number of individual study desks on each floor. However the Library has a strong sense of ‘place’ for students, a place to meet, talk, study, research, and even eat now we have relaxed our food and drink policy! Please come and take a look some time…
Plans for the Information Commons in 2006 include a trial of a colour printer (with ITS), a scanner and walk-in access to a limited number of databases for visitors to Massey University.
And how are your students using the library to find information? As our numbers of online resources increase, book checkout statistics are slightly dropping each year (this is a relatively common pattern across tertiary libraries). It looks like students are embracing the online world, but still need skills to find, evaluate and correctly use online information. And sometimes they might be best to start with a traditional reference resource or text book which may not be available electronically! Results from our Rodski satisfaction survey in 2005 indicate that many students are struggling to work through databases to find a full text journal article that meets their needs. We see these students individually but are also very happy to provide hands-on classes for your course so they have these essential skills.
Did you know?
· There is now a returns bin at the back door of the Turitea Library if you find it easier (or want to drive up)
· Overdue notices will soon be sent only one day after the due date, rather than five days later (sorry – our current library system can’t manage reminder notices before the due date)
· Your College Liaison librarian can help you with the development of your online course. The abundance of ‘traditional library information’ that is now accessible online allows students to link directly from the online material you have provided to many of the actual documents you wish them to read. We can also help you to make sure that students in the virtual environment are able to develop independent information seeking skills.
