Library and IT developments in recent years
Academic update bulletin 11
January 2010
The following list is not exhaustive, but highlights some of the many developments of the Library and IT environments and services since 2006 in response to user views and feedback.
Further information on many of these developments can be found in IS newsletters and bulletins, and in IS plans presented to user panels and the Information Services Committee.
2006/07
- Presentation/practice rooms introduced into Library
- Online fee payment system (tuition, accommodation)
- Online activation Study Bedroom Network points
- eJournal titles expanded to over 25,000 – database too large to be hosted internally so Information Services purchased the services of an external company (Serial Solutions)
- Merger of IT and Library helpdesks and the opening of Help & Enquiry Desk in Library (week days and weekends during term time)
- Self Issue/Return machines introduced in the Library
- Kent Academic Repository (KAR) launched
- Go ahead given for planned improvements to college PC rooms
- Quick Access PCs introduced to Library
- Additional PCs purchased for group study areas in Library
- Study bedrooms see an increase in bandwidth
- IPTV pilot launched
- Wireless network extended to cover teaching areas, lecture theatres and seminar rooms
- Students able to monitor their printing online (including how many trees they have used http://printing.kent.ac.uk/)
- Replacement of one third of all PCs in student PC rooms in Library
- Recycle bins (paper, plastic, batteries, DVDs, printer cartridges) introduced throughout Information Services
- Cafe opened in Templeman
- E-books pump priming funding used to secure e-books for core texts where they exist
2007/08
- Information Services successfully bid for funding to digitise Carl Giles cartoon collection.
- Wireless extended further
- IT and Library websites updated
- Quick Access PCs increased
- eBook sourced where possible for all core texts
- Full scanning service available – articles and single book chapters identified on reading lists are scanned and made available through WebCT
- New 3-day loan period introduced
- Printers upgraded in library (allowing double sided printing)
- Audio tours of Templeman introduced
- RefWorks (bibliographical software) support offered
- Shibboleth (government funded) gateway to academic resources investigated as a replacement for Athens
- Display screens introduced to Templeman allowing students to identify computers not being used (Library and College PC rooms) - information also available online
- Only recycled paper used for all student and staff printers
- Refurbishment of Keynes and Darwin college PC rooms new PCs and printers, desktop laptop power sockets and the installation of telephones connected to Helpdesk
- New library signage introduced
- Replacement of one third of all PCs in student PC rooms in Library
- Library term time opening hours extended (8.45am to midnight)
- Designated areas for mobile telephone user introduced into Library
- Status of one of the four public PC room in the Library changed from silent to group study
- Review of Library space and services undertaken resulting in project team being appointed
- Templeman library stock can be returned at Medway Drill Hall Library
2008/09
- Core Text Collection opened
- Colour printer installed for Templeman
- Additional self issue/return machines purchased
- New Library maps and guides introduced
- Study Bedroom Service game console pilot launched
- Laptop loans introduced
- Antiseptic wipes for use with PCs available throughout Library
- Additional study spaces introduced in Library during the exam period
- Shibboleth adopted for easier access to off-site electronic resources
- IS win bid for further work on digitalisation (VERDI)
- Second Canterbury video conferencing suite opened
- New student portal launched
- Refurbishment of Rutherford and Eliot PC rooms (new PCs, printers and laptop points)
- New rules on unattended PC introduced in response to student feedback that PCs are often left unattended for long periods
- Student print overdraft extended in response to students being caught short when printing exam work
- Mobile Device Form opened (helping users to access the Kent network)
- Roaming Helper service introduced
- Online module evaluation questionnaire pilot run
- Library Space and Services team bid for Library extension
- Information Services’ developer team win funding to develop an open source reading list system
- Replacement of one third of all PCs in student PC rooms in Library
- International student support strategy and plan developed and implemented
2009/10
- Moodle replaces WebCT
- Additional laptop power points introduced
- Student email quote and storage increased
- Stock check undertaken - ‘missing books’ removed from Catalogue
- Core Text Collection loan periods revised resulting in CTC weekend loans and revised vacation borrowing
- New informal seating introduced in Library (Level 3)
- Additional seating introduced into Cafe
- External seating introduced outside of Library
- New beta catalogue introduced
- Laptop loan periods extended from 2 to 4 hours
- Vista OS rolled out to all student desktops
- CLA scanning service for high demand book chapters integrated with Moodle
Recent
- DVD/Video viewing equipment relocated in CTC – Christmas 2009
- Templeman weekday opening earlier 08:15 – January 2010
Imminent launch
- Box of broadcasts (BOB) an off-air recording system that will allow staff and students to create their own play lists (radio and TV)
- Self-service netbook service for Templeman
Planned
- Integrating eJournal search into Beta catalogue - February 2010
- Library working with Kent Union to participate in the Degrees Cooler: A greener campus initiative – January 2010
- Major update to beta catalogue – Easter 2010
- Student e-mail migration to Microsoft hosted service – Easter 2010
- Pilot online printer credits – Easter 2010
- Remodelling of the entrance to the Templeman Library to reduce queues and allow all users to enter at the front – 2010/11
- Pilot reservation SMS text being considered
John Sotillo
Director of Information Services