Current Library Projects
The Library has a history of undertaking research in the field of library and information work. We are currently involved in the following projects:
Library Ambassadors Project
The Library is undertaking an exciting new pilot project starting in the Autumn 2010. Four undergraduate student Library Ambassadors have been appointed to liaise with the Faculties and provide the Library with a students'-eye view on the services we provide. The aim is that their activities will result in genuinely student-centred library services. The Ambassadors will be working for a few hours per week to gain feedback from fellow students. They will then be set the task of marketing the Library back to those students in creative and innovative ways. The Ambassadors will be given pretty much a free reign as to which library services and ‘market segments' to work on, although reaching non-users will be a particular focus.
The project starts in October 2010 and will report in June 2011. For further information, please contact Elizabeth Gadd, Project Manager e.a.gadd@lboro.ac.uk .
Information Handling Skills for Researchers Project
Loughborough University Library is leading a consortium of East Midlands universities in a project to create an online tutorial to develop the information handling skills of research staff. This two year project, which is expected to complete at the end of 2011, involves the University of Nottingham, De Montfort University, Coventry University, the University of Northampton and the University of Warwick. Funding has been provided so far by Loughborough University's Research Office, the University of Nottingham and Coventry University.
The project consists of a number of phases, with phase one including evaluating the current tools on offer to develop information handling skills of researchers, as well as investigating more closely the needs and preferences of research staff at the universities of Loughborough, Nottingham and De Montfort. These investigations include the use of questionnaires, interviews and observation software. The second phase will be the design and development of the course itself, with the final phase being the evaluation and dissemination period.
Further information can be obtained from the Project Manager, Helen Young (h.young@lboro.ac.uk ).
Previous projects
For information on previous Library projects, see here.