Level 1 of the Robinson Library was affected by the floods last Thursday. Due to the quick response of many library staff, no stock was damaged but some areas remain inaccessible.
The Hope and Tees clusters are open, giving access to over 40 PCs. YourSpace remains closed at present.
Print Services and Special Collections are open as usual.
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.
The Level 2 cluster is being refurbished this summer.
As the area looks now, with computers and desks removed…
And an impression of how the cluster will look once the refurbishment is complete
We apologise for the increased level of noise in the Robinson Library this morning; work is taking place to enlarge one of the air ducts to improve air flow in the building.
The ISS cluster on Level 2 cluster of the Robibson Library is to be refurbished this summer. The ISS helpdesk will be temporarily relocating to Level 3, next to the Information Desk.
* ISS desk for 2 persons with PCs and leaflet space to be set up next to the Enquiry desk on Level 3 opposite the main staircase
* Laptop clinic opposite Level 3 Enquiry desk
* 1 colour printer to be relocated to Level 3 (Near photocopiers)
* 1 colour printer to be relocated to Level 4 (Near photocopiers)
* 48 ISS cluster PCs will be temporarily relocated on Levels 1, 3 and 4
* Tees and Hope clusters (on L1) will remain open all summer
