Refurbishment of Fountains Learning Centre 27.5.11

Refurbishment of the Fountains Learning Centre
6 June – 16 September 2011

Over the summer we will be working on a major transformation project to enhance the resources and environment available for study in the Fountains Learning Centre. The three floors of the library will be refurbished and adapted with significant changes taking place on the ground floor. This work is being undertaken to ensure that students have access to top-quality learning resources – and is informed by student feedback about our existing facilities and consultations with the Students’ Union, key users across the organisation and faculties.

There may be some disruption during the first week of works, but main library services will continue from the ground and then the first floor.

When planning the work schedule we have made sure that the Fountains Learning Centre remains open (Summer Term opening times), with main library services operating from the first floor. However, access to the building will be via the first floor entrance from De Grey Court – signage will be in place to assist you. Access to online resources, e-books and short term loans will continue as normal. You will also be able to take out up to 45 books for an extended loan period (to mid-October). In addition, Costa Coffee and the Fountains Lecture Theatre will be unaffected.

Inevitably, there will be some disruption but careful planning will aim to keep this to a minimum. Information about the closure of areas to allow work to take place will be posted on the Project Fountains website from 3 June as well as information points in Holgate and the Library. Please visit the website during the project so you can keep up to date with the developments. We’ll also be communicating updates via the Students’ Union website and Twitter.

The ‘new look’ Fountains Learning Centre will include:
• A new entrance
• Opening up the space to encourage flexible of use to promote different learning styles
• New seating and study areas with a mix of fixed and moveable furniture to create social learning spaces
• The Main Counter will be relocated to the heart of ground floor to deal with all library and IT queries in a more open way
• A development and improvement of the self-service facilities
• A reconfiguration of the book shelves to promote ease of use.
• An increased and enhanced IT provision

Key facts
• A £1.1 million investment
• 30 new open access PCs
• £50,000 to increase the book stock
• Extended loan period up to mid October with up to 45 books per user

If you have initial queries about the refurbishment project, please contact Siona Mackelworth, Director of Marketing, on E: s.mackelworth@yorksj.ac.uk


“We are over the moon that the University is making this investment – including £50,000 for core texts. The Fountains Learning Centre will be a lot more inviting with colour zoning and soft seating areas. The project shows that the University is not standing still and takes notice of our feedback on learning resources. There will be some disruption over the summer but the increased loan facilities should help alleviate the problems until the project is finished.”
Leigh Hankinson, President, Students’ Union


“The refurbishment of the Fountains Learning Centre will allow us to take a fresh approach to how we deliver learning resources in an invigorating and exciting new way. The focus is on enhancing flexibility, customer service, accessibility and technology support. I know that the next few weeks will provide a challenge to all those involved, but I am confident that we have the expertise and enthusiasm to ensure this project is a great success.”
Professor David Fleming, Vice Chancellor

Library catalogue unavailable 28 May 2011

Due to essential maintenance work the library catalogue system will be unavailable on 28 May 2011. This will mean that any books or journals issued on that day will have to be issued manually by library staff, so please allow time for this when visiting the library on this day.

SCONUL Access City University London

We have received the following message from City University London:

From Saturday 11 June access to study places and printed collections at City University’s main Northampton Square library will be severely restricted. This is due to a major refurbishment project taking place during the summer vacation period.

There will be no access to our printed collections in the following subject areas: Arts, Engineering & Mathematics, Health Sciences, Informatics and Social Sciences.

Our library catalogue will be updated to reflect this. Potential users are advised to consult the catalogue in advance of any planned visit to check on availability of resources.
Law, Business and Health Sciences collections at our other sites will still be accessible during this period.

It is anticipated that a normal service will be resumed and our collections will be accessible to users from Monday 8 August.

21 May 2011 - Interruption to Wiley Online Journals

From 10am on Saturday 21 May 2011 there may be interruptions in access to ejournals supplied by Wiley Online. This could go on for up to 2 hours. If you experience trouble accessing journals during this time, please try again later in the day or on Sunday.

If problems persist after Saturday, please contact libraryqueries@yorksj.ac.uk with details of the resource you are trying to access and any error messages.

SCONUL Access at Birmingham City University

We have just received the following message from Birmingham City University:

Due to exceptionally high numbers in Kenrick Library, Birmingham City University, we will not be admitting students from other institutions that are not registered with us during 24 hour opening self service hours which will last until 4th June 2011. Please inform your students. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Regards
Andrea Lambon
Assistant Director Library and Learning Resources
Birmingham City University

We would suggest that anyone applying for SCONUL Access contact the library they wish to join prior to visiting, particularly at this busy time of year.

Changes to due dates for library items over Summer

From Friday 13 May 28 and 7 day loan items will be issued until 14 October.

All student & staff profiles will be allowed to borrow 45 items. The only exceptions will be those students finishing their courses in the next couple of months and external members of the library, who are not enrolled on a course or employed by YSJU.

Please note:-

Students can only take 5 items out from the YHL.

The increase in allocation is only on 28 & 7 day loan items.

Restrictions still in place for:-

YHL
DVDs & VC i.e. 10
One day loan i.e. 5
Periodicals i.e. 5
VCP
Computer Software
Music Scores

Library catalogue downtime Sunday 15 May 2011 7-11 BST

Due to essential maintenance the library catalogue may be unavailable between 7 and 11 BST Sunday 15 May 2011. However, the old library catalogue should be available during this time and you should be able to check your library account as usual.

Past exam papers

If you would like to have a look at past exam papers for your module, you can view these electronically through the library catalogue.

To access, type exam papers in the library catalogue interface, and then click on the Past exam papers record, and follow the link to the electronic resource. You will be asked to log in with your university username and password, and can then get access to all the exam papers we have available.

If your module is missing, this unfortunately means that past exam papers are not available for that module, and you may need to ask at your Faculty Office if they have any available to view.

Netlibrary ebooks, possible disruption to services 3 May 2011

Due to system maintenance, the preview of eBooks on EBSCOhost will be unavailable from 12 through 4pm, on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. NetLibrary eBooks will become eBooks on EBSCOhost so there is some risk of disruption.

Your NetLibrary folder will be replaced by this free, versatile folder option as soon as the transition from NetLibrary to eBooks on EBSCOhost is complete. This means that items saved prior to the transition will not be saved. The My EBSCOhost folder will provide users with a wide variety of personalization options, such as the ability to save:
• Downloaded books
• Check out books
• Holds
• Notes
• Articles
• Images
• Journal Alerts
• Saved Searches
• and more!
To learn more about My EBSCOhost, download the help sheet here: http://support.ebscohost.com/knowledge_base/detail.php?id=3968.