A paper given at the ALISS xmas event 2013 by Cathy Walsh, Director of Library and Learning Services, University of East London.

1. Cathy Walsh, Director of Library and Learning
Services, University of East London.

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Supporting the transition to higher education
Need to review information literacy materials
– under used and not engaging enough
Inspired by open learning resources and
employability tool
Wanted interactivity
Resource to suit different learning needs and
styles
24/7 support

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Easily navigable
Open/web based
Dip in and dip out model for ‘strategic
learners’
Accessible – ‘the student voice’
Credible – the academic voice/the librarian’s
voice
Engaging students
Academic context: not just focused on
‘library’ but how these skills will improve
academic performance and achievement

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Staffordshire Assignment Survival Kit
Cardiff Information Literacy Resource Bank
Leeds Skills@Library
OU Safari

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Focus on level one students
Can be used at any level
Focus of ‘academic integrity’ alongside
information literacy
For anyone at any level
Can be used as a whole or ‘dipped into’ for
relevant videos

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Project managers - Learning Designer and
Learning Technologist from E Learning team
Subject Librarians – developed the content
(ownership by this team was vital)
Co-ordinated and overseen by Learning
Designer – ensuring consistent style and
approach

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Videos ‘in their own words’
Evaluative workshops during the process
Feedback to improve and develop

10. What do you think is most useful on the site?
 The videos of the experiences from other students and the guides
 Simple, easy to follow layout
 Links to other useful resources from text pages.
 I particularly like the Search Tools
 Most useful I would say is the layout, I think it is easy to use and
navigate. I like the variety of resources on there. I think there is
something for everyone.
 Demos and guides
 Guides to referencing

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The student and staff advice on the videos and the
guides/demonstrations
The videos are invaluable as short interactive
information. The assignment title area is invaluable
in getting student to really think about what they are
being asked to do, what question means and what
is being asked of them. I think this section really
helps to be focus directly on the task in hand.
The section on sources of information is
excellent, provide a great break down on how to
search easily and properly to get the best possible
information that is trustworthy and relevant

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Updates - ongoing
Approached for re – use (creative commons
licence)
Usage by collaborative partners - builds links
with library
Academic staff use individual videos
SLs use parts of it for induction and
information skills teaching
Most used – referencing and academic
integrity

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Embedded – skills module and staff
interested in developing assessment within it
Videos widely used by teaching staff
Regularly updated and refreshed
Links to live chat etc
Quizzes widely used
Referencing and plagiarism materials popular

15. March 2010
Over 400 suggestions - most popular:
What would you like to see in the new Stratford
Library?
 1. More books & journals
 2. Silent study rooms with & without PCs
 3. More PCs
 4. More group study rooms
 5. 24 hour coffee shop/vending machine
 6. Clean toilets/clean library
 7. Individual study carrels
 8. More/reliable printers

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Every time I come into the library I bump into someone from my course and
I want to find out what
‘There needs to be clarity at the beginning’
‘Creating an environment that people know where they need to go and what
the choices are’.
‘I’d like to come in, decide where I’m going and just go straight there’
‘Students need to know what is expected of them from the moment they
walk in’.
‘I agree we should be green, but we have to be warm enough in the winter
and cool enough in the summer. Natural light and ventilation is important
but ultimately what’s more important?’
‘Study is so influenced by temperature.’
‘..nothing too extreme – something a bit serious with no distractions.’
‘Nice to have bright funky designs but the library needs to be more serious.’
‘Everything needs to be streamlined. I don’t have time to queue – I like selfservice’.

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Presentation of plans to Student Experience
Committee
Meeting with Architects
Furniture workshop
Individual students from School of
Architecture/Engineering on site

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It's a library for the 21st century!
It feels like a real library
It's just fantastic!
I'm sorry I'm leaving
Really, really excited, wonderful! Can't wait to use the study rooms
Fab. Spacious. Much better than previous library – this is more fit for
purpose. PCs way faster and much more pleasant atmosphere and
environment to study in
Fantastic, very impressive, lots of space to study
Nice isn't it - can't keep away

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The library is beautiful
It's a marvellous building - modernized. A very good environment for
students and members of staff
Lovely building. Great space for students to study and collaborative
work
Very warm and welcoming very nice area - I love it!
Very good learning environment with new computers, spacious with
automatics door for easy access
What a fantastic building it's amazing you did all that in two weeks