Social learning concept for new University library

Thursday 22 September 2011

In a move away from reliance on the traditional help desk, roving library staff will operate from an “Ask Me” zone, while specialist Student Learning Advisors and librarians promote and develop student digital literacy.

Intuitively designed by architects RMJM, with a smart modernist glass interior and gold exterior, the building increases the space available for the students by half and provides insulated silent space so people can work unhindered by noise.

There will also be informal group rooms where students can work together on projects and the whole library will be computer wireless enabled.

Professor Chris Snowden, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “Here at Surrey, we understand that Universities and their libraries operate as a focus for the community with a strong emphasis on learning and teaching. Both support the generation of new knowledge in an environment which encourages creative and independent thinking.

“This new building reinforces our ethos, extending the library’s role as a hub of learning and study, and with the clear goal of putting the needs and wishes of students first in a calm and studious atmosphere.”

Jane Savidge, Director of Library and Learning Support Services, said: “We developed the design by listening to our students and learning from the changing patterns of use and engagement with information experienced across the sector.”

“The new building is based on recognition of the importance of individual choice and control over the selected environment. We wanted to develop the idea of zones differentiated by design, recognising the impact this has on the way individuals and groups learn. The new building achieves this and provides the environment Surrey students need to engage with their chosen academic subject”

The building has been designed to integrate with the surrounding facilities, providing routes into and around the building via a new student concourse at ground level, linking through to the existing library at first and second floor.

On the upper floor of the building new language learning facilities and resources have been incorporated, including specialist PCs for languages study. The building also houses the University bookshop and a shop with café area.

Editors' Notes

Notes to Editors:

696,300 visits were made to the existing University library in the past year with more than 800,000 books and other items loaned. Two million text articles and other resources were downloaded from the electronic information collections.

The existing library has seen a huge increase in the user visits, up 70% since 2006.

For 30 weeks of the year the new library will operate on a 24 hour opening basis except between 8pm and 9am overnight on Saturdays.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology uses radio waves to transfer data from an electronic tag which records identifying information about a specific Library item. This extends security and automated sorting of returned books, speeds return to the shelves and simplifies the location and tracking of books.
About the University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life – helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, the environment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in science and technology have gained widespread recognition and it also boasts flourishing programmes in dance and music, social sciences, management and languages and law. In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 110 companies employing 2,750 staff.

The Sunday Times names Surrey as ‘The University for Jobs' which underlines the university’s growing reputation for providing high quality, relevant degrees.

Surrey is a member of the 1994 Group of 19 leading research-intensive universities.  The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching.  Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.

www.1994group.ac.uk

Media Enquiries

Howard Wheeler, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 686141, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk