UQ library re-fit a hit with users

Fresh from a $13.5 million facelift, the refurbished Biological Sciences Library at The University of Queensland is already proving a hit with students, according to University Librarian, Keith Webster.

Mr Webster said latest turnstile statistics showed more than 250,000 visits had been recorded for 2007 so far – more than double the annual visits registered before the refurbishment began in late 2005.

The building will be officially opened by the Executive Director of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Professor John Shine, AO, on Thursday, July 19, at 10am.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AO, and Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences Executive Dean, Professor Mick McManus, will also speak at the opening ceremony.

One of the largest of the 13 University of Queensland branch libraries and the final one to be refurbished, the Biological Sciences Library is used by students studying biology, chemistry, medicine, veterinary science and natural resource courses.

“The original building, designed by Robin Gibson, was built in the mid-1970s when libraries were essentially warehouses for printed materials and places for quiet study,” Mr Webster said.

“There were no group discussion areas or computers. The card catalogue reigned supreme. The service model was based on the counter metaphor in which the customer was ‘served’ by staff from behind a counter.”

In contrast, the new facility provides 3375 square metres spread over four floors. It caters for diverse learning experiences where printed and digital information is combined in an entirely user-focused environment.

“Students work collaboratively in spaces that support today’s social and learning patterns. These spaces include discussion rooms complete with data-projectors and plasma screens, three training rooms, more than 200 computers, a graduate study centre, AV booths, as well as a mix of individual and group study spaces,” Mr Webster said.

Executive Manager of the Health Sciences Library Service, Heather Todd, said the library’s rounded retro furniture, cutting-edge technology and convenient professional service were proving especially popular with Generation Y users.

“We are very proud of our new roaming assistance service,” Ms Todd said. “If students need help in the Library, they can call a staff member – literally – for personal assistance.

“Whether their problem is with library resources, computers, loans or even paper jams, on-the-spot help is just a phone-call away.

“Generation Y students are used to contacting friends on their mobile phones – now they can get in touch with friendly library assistance the same way.

“And if their phone credits are running low, they can use one of the free internal phones located throughout the building or just flag down a staff member wearing a distinctive green shirt and ask for help.”

She said a funky café adjacent to the refurbished library as well as a palm-tree-lined courtyard provided space for students to relax and catch up with friends after study sessions.

Media inquiries: Heather Todd at the University of Queensland Library (telephone 3346 9624) or Shirley Glaister at UQ Communications (telephone 3365 1931).