Swansea University Library (LIC): an Accessible Guide

Transcription

1 1 Swansea University Library (LIC): an Accessible Guide When to Visit The library is open 24 hours. The Library service desk opening hours are on our website when the Library Desk is closed, there are self-service machines for borrowing and returning books and a porter should be in attendance at the entrance gates. The library is busiest during term time between 10am-4pm with lunchtimes (12-2pm) being a peak time. The quietest times are at weekends, evenings and early morning. You can also access many resources online via the ifind system (ifind.swansea.ac.uk) including e-books and online journals. We have a guide on using ifind or ask for help at the Library Desk. Orientation You enter the library on Level 3, the ground floor. Most of the books are downstairs on Levels 1 & 2. The Law Library and PC rooms are upstairs on Level 4. The library is divided into East and West wings (which do not match compass points). Try taking a walk around the library with this guide to familiarise yourself with the different areas. Entering the library Library entrance:

2 2 The doors are automatic. They lead into the café area which can be noisy and busy with bright lights: Enter the library through the security gates: These are open between 8am and 12 midnight. Outside those times you will need to swipe your student card to enter. Porters desk: There is usually a porter seated by the gates. Sometimes the gates can make a bleeping sound and a red light comes on and the gate will lock this may be because someone forgot to check out a book the book issue process did not complete successfully

3 3 they are carrying their own book that has a hidden security tag. If this happens when you walk through, the porter will ask to see your books. They will check the books and open the gate for you. By the security gates there are steps down to the toilets and the photocopiers: The self-return machine is located beside the steps the light can glare on the surround. We have a video on how to use the machine on our website. Toilets The toilets are on Level 2 West: Ladies Toilet Sign: Men s Toilet Sign: The Ladies toilets have a mirrored wall and noisy hand-driers:

4 4 The men s toilets also have reflective surfaces and noisy hand-driers: If you would prefer to use a quieter toilet, the Disabled Toilet is accessed through a door at the far side of the Costa café (Level 3) through two sets of doors: This toilet is sometimes also used by library staff who are not disabled. Photocopiers (Level 2 West) Machines to photocopy, print and scan: There are several photocopiers in the area outside the toilets. The machines here produce some background noise. They can print, scan and photocopy. Instructions on how to use the machines are on the wall or you can ask at the Library Desk for help. Before you can use these machines you will need to register on our printing system and put money on your card instructions are on the wall or staff at the Library desk can help you with this.

5 5 Central Hall The Library Desk in the Central Hall: This is a bright open area which can be busy with background noise. Sometimes there are queues at the Library Desk. There are catalogue PCs against the wall where you can look up a book. Above them there is a guide to book locations in the library. Staff at the Library Desk can help you with any queries such as: issuing or returning books, paying any fines, collecting books you have requested, IT problems either on campus computers or your own laptop, printing & photocopying, Wi-Fi, accessing electronic resources, finding items in the library, Careers appointment or advice. There are two PC rooms up above the Central Hall which are designated silent study areas although there may be low-level noise: Training Room 3 & PC Room 2 (Level 4 West): One of these Training Room 3 is also used for teaching sessions which will be indicated on the timetable on the door of the room. This room is also used for examinations so it may be unavailable for use during the exam period.

6 6 Inside Training Room 3: Self Issue machines These are green lit up machines which can make a bleeping sound if someone forgets their card. A video ( shows how to use the machines if you want to borrow items. Library desk staff can help you if there is a problem or ask the evening attendant or porter for help if the desk is closed. Lift The lift is located in the Central Hall opposite the stairs and just before the doors into the Study Hall by the Media Room.

7 7 Media Room & Wellbeing Collection This is located just inside the doors to the Study Hall (Level 3 West). It is a narrow, enclosed room with no natural light. There is a quiet area in the corner by the Wellbeing Collection with comfortable seating. Study Hall The group study areas can sometimes get crowded and noisy. They are high, bright areas with overhead strip lighting. It is an open-plan seating area with plugs for laptops. There are four large PC rooms at the back of the Study Hall.

8 8 PC Rooms Entrance to the PC Room at the back of the Study Hall showing the PC Availability Display monitor: These rooms can get very busy during term time. There is often background noise from the printing / photocopying machines. The display screens in the Central Hall and outside the rooms show which areas have free PCs in very busy times. Sometimes this may be because a PC is not working, however. Each room should also have at least one printer / photocopier. You can sit at any computer and login with your / password. If you have any problems using the computers or printers, staff at the Library Desk can help. Training Room 2: Training Room 2 at the back of the Study Hall is sometimes used for teaching - check the timetable on the door to see if it is free to use. You may find a Teaching in Progress sign in front of the door. The Postgraduate Room (upstairs on the right) has swipe access. If you are a postgraduate you will need to get your card activated to gain access (staff at the Library Desk can help with this).

9 9 Study Areas and Stacks (areas with bookshelves) The library has East and West wings, both of which have extensive shelving areas mixed with study spaces. Level 3 is the ground floor where you enter. Levels 2 and 1 are downstairs. In most areas the lights are controlled by motion sensors and there will be a soft click as lights go off and on. Lighting can go from quite dim to bright. East Wing This contains much of the science / health / engineering collections and also some literature on Level 3 East. There is a ramp from the Central Hall down to Level 3 East. Level 3 East: The flooring on Level 3 East is wooden and squeaks in many places; lights are triggered by movement so may come on unexpectedly. This area has German and American Literature, Maths and Computer Science materials. Level 2 East area (left) and the Level 2 East Silent Study Area (right):

10 10 The entrance area to Level 2 East has very bright lighting. The area beyond has bright strip lighting and a low ceiling. This level has mostly health & medicine materials plus some maths & computer science. There is also a Silent Study Area (bright with blue furnishings) off to one side which can be a quiet area to work but sometimes students do talk here. Level 1 East: Level 1 East can be dimly light until the lights are triggered by movement. There are no windows and there can be a background hum from machinery. The entrance area is very bright. The sign opposite the doors ( Access Forbidden to All Unauthorised Persons ) only applies to the locked wooden door, not the area beyond. This area has engineering and some health/medicine books. Law Library The Law Library (upstairs on Level 4 East): This a bright area with a high ceiling and the floor can be squeaky. It is silent study but sometimes students will talk. The Law Librarian may tell them to be quiet if he is in his office (located in the centre of the room). West Wing The West Wing has much of the arts & humanities, languages and literature, history, social work, social policy, Welsh, sports science, geography, economics &

11 11 management collections across Levels 1 & 2. The lighting between the shelving is triggered by sensors so can go from dim to bright. Light can reflect off the flooring. Both Levels 1 and 2 West have Silent Study areas at the back end which can be quiet places to work. Level 2 West Silent Study Area: There is also a quiet seating area outside the Archives (Level 1 West) with desks with dividers:

12 12 Level 1 West: Level 2 West has doors to the area with photocopiers, toilets and vending machines. Quiet Areas to work Areas in the library are designated Silent Study, Quiet Study or Group Study. Sometimes students will be noisy or disregard the signs ask staff at the Library Desk if this is disturbing you and they can ask students to be quieter. You may prefer to use earplugs to ensure quiet. Not all study areas will have power sockets for laptops but these have been installed where possible. At peak times it can be difficult to find a quiet area. Areas to look for a quieter workspace are: Silent Study Areas at the back of Levels 1 & 2 West Study booths outside the Archives office on Level 1 West Silent Study area on Level 2 East The seating in the Media Room by the Wellbeing Collection None of these areas have PCs. The smaller PC rooms are PC Room 2 and Training Room 3 on Level 4 West (above the Central Hall) and PC Room 1 on Level 3. Two or more students working together can book one of the Group Study Rooms visit the Library Desk to do this. These rooms can be booked for up to 2 hours. The rooms have a PC and one has a projector to practice presentations.

13 13 Using the Library You may visit the library to find, read or borrow books, journals, DVDs and other items. You may also wish to use a computer or study space or attend a pre-arranged training session. You can arrange a meeting with one of your subject librarians (by ing [email protected]) who can show you where your subject books are located and also explain: How to look up an item (book/journal/dvd) and locate it in the library or request it if it s on loan How to borrow and return items How to check your library account online How to use the printing/photocopying system We also have videos and information on our website. Staff at the Library Desk can help with any queries or problems using any of our resources or services. You may need to queue at the desk. We are an international university and not all students may understand queuing protocol. Staff will always try to see customers in turn. Some queries may take longer to answer and these may be referred to more senior staff if necessary. Where to get help If you need help urgently, approach any ISS staff. Most staff wear red lanyards: If you need help using the library or computers, ask staff at the Library Desk. If this is closed, go to the porter seated at the security gates. Your library team would be glad to make an appointment to meet with you. We can show you round the library and explain how our systems work. We can do this at a quiet time if you would prefer. You can contact us on [email protected] or ask your mentor to contact us for you.