I've moved this Books and Libraries blog to https://cracajilelibraries.wordpress.com/
Thursday 17 March 2016
Tuesday 9 June 2015
ELISA Edinburgh visit to Edinburgh College of Art Library
On Tuesday 2nd June I went on a visit to Edinburgh College of Art Library which was one of the programme of visits organised by ELISA training and development group.
The College of Art is on Lady Lawson Street in Edinburgh Old Town and has an old building at the front and a new building at the back leading onto West Port. The library is in the new part of the building. I have visited before in 2012 but it was better going as part of a group especially as we had an interesting talk from the librarian Jane Furness.
The library is based on 3 floors although as we were vising at the same time as the degree show was on, the top floor was being used for the exhibition. Each floor is sort of separate as it was originally going to be an office building so you come out of each floor and use the lift or stairs to get to the next.
On the main entrance floor is the Help Desk / Service Desk, some PCs and printer, lots of journals and magazines, the short loan collection and a collection of DVDs.
There is a variety of seating - comfortable seating and seating at tables and chairs.
On the lower floor there is the main book collection and some desks with PCs.
The whole area is light and bright and has a good feel to it. It feels like a good place to work and the book collection is very interesting.
Jane explained about the collection and about the links with other Edinburgh University libraries and how the students use the resources. Although there are some electronic resources, due to the nature of the subject it is important to have paper based books and artifacts that are accessible and appealing.
There are display cases containing exhibits and artists stories.
More information can be found about the library on the university website
After we had looked round the library we looked round the rest of the building and the degree show. There is a great view from the top floor.
The College of Art is on Lady Lawson Street in Edinburgh Old Town and has an old building at the front and a new building at the back leading onto West Port. The library is in the new part of the building. I have visited before in 2012 but it was better going as part of a group especially as we had an interesting talk from the librarian Jane Furness.
The library is based on 3 floors although as we were vising at the same time as the degree show was on, the top floor was being used for the exhibition. Each floor is sort of separate as it was originally going to be an office building so you come out of each floor and use the lift or stairs to get to the next.
On the main entrance floor is the Help Desk / Service Desk, some PCs and printer, lots of journals and magazines, the short loan collection and a collection of DVDs.
There is a variety of seating - comfortable seating and seating at tables and chairs.
On the lower floor there is the main book collection and some desks with PCs.
The whole area is light and bright and has a good feel to it. It feels like a good place to work and the book collection is very interesting.
Jane explained about the collection and about the links with other Edinburgh University libraries and how the students use the resources. Although there are some electronic resources, due to the nature of the subject it is important to have paper based books and artifacts that are accessible and appealing.
There are display cases containing exhibits and artists stories.
More information can be found about the library on the university website
After we had looked round the library we looked round the rest of the building and the degree show. There is a great view from the top floor.
Friday 5 June 2015
Libraries and bookshops - Copenhagen
Libraries and bookshops in Copenhagen - images via Ben Donlan from his visit Spring 2015 - random selection
Radboud University library, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Radboud University library, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Image via Ben Donlan
Sunday 1 February 2015
Billingham Library
There is still a week to go to National Libraries Day but as there is a new library in Billingham and we were passing, we went for a look round. Billingham town centre is being revamped as part of a regeneration project and the library is a new building. It is replacing the older libraries that existed in the town and that I visited and blogged about in April 2012 http://donlanlibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/billingham-libraries.html
There has been lots of work done to the town centre to improve it and the library building looks great. It is a shared service building with other council services.
The library part is bright and welcoming with good signage. Modern, practical seating with places for sitting and reading. Access to PCs at clusters of 4 alongside the windows. Self service issue and return machines.
A very good selection of book stock, lots of fiction, local history, graphic novels and some categories that I haven't seen before....paranormal....
There has been lots of work done to the town centre to improve it and the library building looks great. It is a shared service building with other council services.
The library part is bright and welcoming with good signage. Modern, practical seating with places for sitting and reading. Access to PCs at clusters of 4 alongside the windows. Self service issue and return machines.
A very good selection of book stock, lots of fiction, local history, graphic novels and some categories that I haven't seen before....paranormal....
Friday 7 November 2014
Sustainable Libraries
Sustainable Libraries
- Saving Energy - more sustainable buildings
- Reduce energy consumption - replace boilers
- Ventilation systems and controls
- Lighting systems -- light bulbs and fittings
- Library Catalogue machines
- Save space and transport - ejournals
- Printing and photocopying - doublesided printing and pull printing
- Donate and recycle books and journals
- Green roof, solar panels
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)