Long-gone are the days of libraries being known as silent zones and sacred spaces where chat and coffees were strictly forbidden.
The University’s main library, The John & Alison Kearney Library, has had a ‘makeover’ to provide more modern, student-friendly and collaborative, multi-use spaces.
For the past twelve months, the Bond University library team have been working closely with the student association (BUSA) to ensure the facility, located at the heart of the campus, continues to meet the evolving needs of students.
The changes that have been made include:
- improved access to the library, via a more open, welcoming main entrance from Papyrus Café
- securing the reserve collection and staff area to enable the library to be open longer for student use out-of-hours
- more serviceable and durable floor and furniture in the group study space so students can ‘eat and meet’ there
- additional quite study space, including a private consultation space for students and researchers to meet one-on-one with library staff
- new modular, lightweight, ergonomic furniture which is more mobile and can be easily reconfigured for multiple purposes including group study sessions, pop-up meetings, poster presentations, poetry readings, training and learning, library events etc.
- the introduction of nine stand-up PCs and workstations so students can ‘stand and study’
- additional pods and work spaces that are more ergonomic in design with better eyeline for screens and set-ups which are easier to configure for individual requirements
- an EduTouch screen for presentations and more power and USB points at each work station
- more digital books and collections for greater electronic access
- 58 additional study spaces on level three made possible by consolidating the collection and removing print journals and books which are now available online
- the relocation of the self-service checkout to the ground floor.
University librarian Sarah Fredline said the new design was better aligned with the way students now used the library, with fewer books and more digital resources.
“What we have now is a more flexible, functional library with extra social spaces for student discussion and collaboration,” she said.
“It’s important that the library is a safe, welcoming and functional space for students that really meets their needs.
“It is one area on campus that they can truly feel is their own space to study.”
BUSA President Lacey Rowett said over the past year, BUSA had provided student feedback on initial design plans and suggestions for new features and improvements.
“It is really important that students are involved in renovating spaces on campus,” she said.
“Not only are we the main users of the facilities, but as new students come through, the way they use spaces will constantly change, so new and different designs are always going to be needed.”