News

Library opening 24/7

The UEA Library has announced that it will be trialling a 24-hour library service from January 16th until July 2012. Below is a statement from the Library detailing the improvements to services:

“Whether you need time for research, study or space to think, UEA Library will now be open 24 hours a day for a trial period to the end of July 2012, including bank holidays and the Easter vacation. 

The University has decided to fund this trial 24/7 service in response to requests from students for additional access to the Library’s study spaces and collections as well as the existing 24 hour IT areas. Other services available include self-service issues and returns, photocopying and binding, and open access to individual carrels and group study spaces.

The 24/7 service will be particularly welcome during times of peak demand such as assessment periods, examinations and bank holidays. It also enables the Library to overcome the issue of late morning opening on weekends.

The trial will also help to address the diversity of needs among the University community, such as students on placement and those with dependents or work commitments who may need to access library resources and facilities outside the standard working day.

The extension of 24/7 to the end of July also recognises that for many students the academic year can extend beyond the standard semester dates, e.g. those in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and EDU. There are also many taught and research postgraduates with needs outside of the semester for research and dissertation purposes.

A case for continuing with this 24/7 initiative will be made based on utilisation and feedback over the trial period so please spread the word.”

The Union welcomes that the Library has listened to feedback from students and is making changes to improve the way that students learn. This change will be especially positive for students who require library services outside of traditional opening hours, such as students on placement, those with work or childcare commitments and students who do not have standard semester times such as FMH and EDU students. We hope that the extended hours will benefit students and appreciate the Library’s efforts to make these improvements.

What do you think about this change? Let us know what you think by emailing Meg Evans, the Academic Officer on union.academic@uea.ac.uk