Our collection of printed Government Publications is moving to a new location on Level 1 in the Robinson Library. Government Publications were previously located in 3 different areas and on two separate floors of the library; this move will enable us to create one consolidated collection. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please ask a member of library staff.
If you’re looking for online information, try our Government Publications Guide.
In preparation for the summer refurbishment of the Robinson Library, the music scores which used to be on Level 1 have been moved upstairs to Level 3. They are now at the end of 800 book sequence (near the windows which overlook Carlton Terrace/Jesmond Rd West).
The Library catalogue has been updated but if you can’t find them, please just ask a member of staff.
During summer 2012, major refurbishment works will take place on the upper floors in the Robinson Library. New lighting, data and electrical cabling will be installed, new carpets fitted, toilets refurbished and new furniture purchased to create new study and research areas on Levels 3 and 4. The Library cafe will also be refurbished during this period.
Starting after the exam period, large sections of Levels 3 and 4 will be taken over by contractors and will be unavailable as study space. Although Levels 1 and 2 are largely unaffected, it is likely that the entire building will be disrupted to some extent.
We are actively investigating and identifying other quiet study areas on campus to direct our users to, so that they can continue their studies without interruption / distraction from the noise of building work.
We are also using this opportunity to create a single sequence of books, starting on Level 3 and moving up to Level 4. This is a significant stock move which will require us to move every volume in the Library. There will be periods of time when items are in transit and at such times we will introduce a book retrieval service to ensure you can still get the material you need.
The summer vacation is the only opportunity we have to make significant changes to the Library and we regret that this will impact on staff, researchers and dissertation students who are continuing with their studies and research through this period. We will minimise the inconvenience as much as possible but you may wish to consider borrowing essential books before the major moves begin in June. If you would find it helpful to extend your borrowing limit to allow you to borrow more books this summer, this can be arranged. Please contact your Liaison Librarian in the first instance.
Detailed planning is still in progress and more specific dates will be made available as soon as possible.
Over the last few weeks, we have received a number of complaints about the level of noise in various parts of the Robinson Library.
To help you find a working environment which is suitable for you, here’s a reminder of the different types of study space currently available in the Robinson Library.
Level 1 – YourSpace
* for group study
* covered drinks and cold snacks are permitted
Level 2 – Open Space
* also for group study
* covered drinks are permitted
Level 2 – Cluster area
* quiet study
* no food or drink permitted
Levels 3 and 4 – Individual study areas
* silent, private study only
* (bookable group study rooms are provided for group study)
* covered drinks are permitted
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Please switch your mobile phone to silent when you enter the Robinson Library. To avoid disturbing others, you may only use your mobile in the Reception area on Level 1 and in the stairwells throughout the library.
If you have any concerns regarding noise while you’re using the library, please do report them to a member of staff, and we’ll do our best to help.
During summer 2012, major refurbishment works will take place in the Robinson Library. New lighting, data and electrical cabling will be installed, new carpets will be fitted, toilets will be refurbished and new furniture will be purchased to create new study and research areas on Levels 3 and 4.
The work already undertaken during summer 2011 (to rehouse back-runs of journals in our Research Reserve) has enabled the Robinson Library to create an additional 110 study spaces for this academic year. We have created new study areas on Levels 3 and 4, and have moved the Reference Collections into more prominent positions.
We will be adding 50 new computers to Levels 3 and 4 before Christmas 2011, with a further 75 computers to be added as part of the major refurbishment which will take place during summer 2012. By this Christmas, we will have over 350 computers in the Robinson Library, an increase of over 60 computers since June 2011.
In line with existing library policy, books which haven’t been consulted for over 5 years (10 years in some subject areas) will be rehoused in the Research Reserve. As with the journals, these books remain part of Newcastle University Library’s collection and will be available on request, usually within 24 hours. It is estimated that the space released will allow us to create up to another 190 study spaces.
We are currently considering ways in which to design, configure and furnish Levels 3 and 4 in the Robinson Library to ensure we create the types of study space our users want. We’re engaged in discussions at staff-student committees and other university meetings, we’ve recruited work experience students to help us gather feedback and undertake observational research into how and where students study, both in the library and in other study spaces on campus and elsewhere. These findings will all help inform our decisions on how we design the space. If you would like to contribute to this discussion, we’d welcome your comments, ideas and suggestions. Please leave a comment on this blog or contact us directly.
This summer’s journal move is now complete. Back runs of journals available electronically and all issues over 10 years old are now located off-campus, in our Research Reserve. If you need to use any material in the Research Reserve, please use our online form.
The space released will be used to create bright, new study spaces which will be ready for the start of term. Some of our book collections will also be moving location (within the Robinson Library), so if you use our Reference books, Academic Practice or Study Skills books, these will be moving in the coming days…
The Journal move on Level 4 is now complete; all back-runs have now been relocated to the Research Reserve at Team Valley. Work is now concentrating on Level 3 with the Per 700s, Per 800s and Per 900s moving over the next week and a half. Per 700 and 720 have already been packed and moved.
The excess shelving will be dismantled on Levels 3 and 4 and bright new study spaces will be created which will be ready for the start of term.
Journal moves will begin in the Walton Library later this week, meaning that work will be temporarily suspended in the Robinson Library for about a fortnight. Please continue to use our online form to request material which has moved or ask at any of our information or service desks.
