Category Archives: Study Spaces

Library Study Spaces: where to go and how to make the most of them

Leave a reply

As the end of term approaches many people are thinking not only about Christmas but also about  assignment deadlines and revision topics. We anticipate a busy few weeks in the Library, and our staff are available seven days a week to help you make the most of the resources and the study spaces we have to offer. But are you aware of the full range of study spaces we have available? Here’s a brief guide to help you find the best spaces for your learning needs, and how to make the most of them…

Group Spaces

Sometimes you do need to discuss your work. That’s why we offer designated group spaces so that you can share ideas and practice presentations without disturbing those who need a quieter study environment. Drop-in group areas (available on a first-come, first served basis) can be found in the following places:

But if you want to guarantee a space for your group, why not book in advance a slot in one of these locations:

  • Amory Study Centre: Group Work Rooms 003 A – E can be booked online via the central room bookings pages (select ‘Student Group Work Areas’ option)
  • St Luke’s Campus Library: the Student Presentation Room features projection equipment and is a great place to practice presentations. It can also be booked online via online via the central room bookings pages (select ‘Student Group Work Areas’ option)
  • Forum Library Vale Room Tables. The group work room on Level 0 contains two tables with a large screen monitor attached. Another good option for practising presentations, these can be booked in advance for up to 3 hours at a time by emailing
  • St Luke’s Library Consultation Rooms 1 & 2. Suitable for smaller groups. Room 1 contains a PC, while Room 2 is a good venue for round table discussions. A week or more in advance you can book these by emailing . Less than a week ahead, just sign up on the door!

 

 Quiet Study

If you’d rather find some silent space to concentrate on your own work, we have a number of options available:

  • A large quiet reading on the entrance floor of  Research Commons – just a few minutes walk from the Forum this a space much beloved by those seeking silent study, why not visit and try it for yourself?
  • The Sanctuary: located just beneath the Great Hall this 180 seat space boasts a colourful decor but a quiet, focused study atmosphere.
  • The far end room in the Amory Study Centre contains PCs and individual desks and is designated purely for quiet study

All of the above destinations use ‘listening ear’ technology to monitor noise and ensure that disturbance is kept to a minimum.

The entrance to The Sanctuary, open 8-8, 7 days a week!

Quiet study spaces are also available at:

  • Forum Library: designated quiet rooms on each floor and in the Learning Hub on level -1.
  • St Luke’s Campus Library: silent space available in the top floor reading room.

Roving Library staff across all locations do our best to make sure noise is kept to a minimum in quiet spaces, but if you are being disturbed by other individuals please don’t suffer in silence – let us know, we’re here to help!

 

Something more relaxed?

If you need a break or you’re looking for a slightly less formal learning environment – perhaps to swap lecture notes over a coffee – you might like to grab a comfy seat in one of the following locations:

  • Forum Library Lounge or Level +1 Balcony
  • Research Commons ‘cafe style’ breakout space
  • St Luke’s Library ‘kitchen style’ breakout space

Forum Library Balcony

3 rules for making the most of our spaces:

  1. If you need help finding the right sort of study space or booking a group room  just ask; Library staff are here to help!
  2. Please respect other Library users by choosing the right environment for your needs: if you need to talk at length please make sure you are in a designated group work space.
  3. Remember the Library is a public space, so do not leave your belongings unattended. Sadly thieves have targeted our libraries in the past so always stay vigilant. Lockers are available to store your laptop and other valuables safely.

For more information why not pick up one of our leaflets or check out the Library Study Spaces website?

Extended Opening Hours for the Amory Study Centre

Leave a reply

One message that is emerging clearly from recent feedback via Library Comments cards and, of course, from the Library Quality Survey  is that current students would like more study space available during evenings and weekends. As a result of student feedback we have already been able to open the seminar rooms on Forum Level 0 on Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, we can now report that the Library has also arranged extended opening hours for the increasingly popular Amory Study Centre.

Located in the Amory Building on Rennes Drive, the Amory Study Centre offers 240 seats and supports a range of learning needs, including group work rooms and quiet study areas.

Amory Group study area

Amory is open to all students from 8.00 7 days a week. From Monday 26th November the space will be available for an additional hour and a half every day, now closing time at the later time of 21.30.

So if you haven’t visited the Amory Study Centre yet why not give it a try in the coming week: now open later, until 21.30 every day! Please ask Library staff for directions or if you need help finding or using any of our study spaces.

Changes like this one are the direct result of your feedback. Library staff are keen to hear your views and you can send us an email or fill in a comments card all year round, but the Library Quality Survey is still running until November 30th so if you haven’t done so already please take the time to click here and share your views. We hope the next improvement to our service will be the one YOU suggest!

 

Additional Weekend Study Space in the Forum!

Leave a reply

Through the Library Survey you told us you needed more study space at the weekend…..

 ….We listened, and took action!

We are pleased to announce that from this weekend (Saturday November 24th)  additional study space will be available in the Forum. The seminar rooms on Forum Level 0 have previously been closed at the weekends but, in response to high demand from students, the Library has now arranged for these to be opened up to be used for study. This change has been made as a direct result of student feedback and is fully supported by Campus Services and Estate Patrol.

The seminar rooms on Forum Level 0 are accessible directly from the Forum Street, rather than through the Library and will now be usable as drop-in study spaces until 9pm each Saturday and Sunday. Please ask Library staff if you need further directions.

A view of the Library from the Forum Street

As we hope this shows, your feedback is important to Library staff and we are constantly looking for ways to improve the service we offer, so do let us know if there are other ways we can enhance your learning experience. Currently the best way to do this is by completing the Library Quality Survey, which is still running until November 30th 2012. Please click here for further details, and to start the survey. Your comments make a real difference and you could win an iPad too!

Network Downtime in Amory Study Centre 10th – 11th November

Leave a reply

This weekend (Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November) Exeter IT will be upgrading the network in the Amory Building. Unfortunately this means  there will be no network access (either wired or wi-fi) in the Amory Study Centre during this time. The building will be open for study as usual but those of you who need to access the network during this period are advised to study elsewhere.

Full network access and wi-fi will be available as normal in our other Library study spaces: The Forum Library, The Sanctuary, Research Commons and St Luke’s Campus Library. Library staff will be happy to help you find alternative study spaces during this time, or why not check out our Study Spaces Website?

 

Places to Study

Leave a reply

IMG_0855

We now can offer our users 850 seats in the Forum Library. These spread out into our extension so if you are not sure where these are then please ask our staff.

If you can’t find a seat please ask a member of staff and we will do our best to find you one.

Remember there are seats in the Law Library, Research Commons and St Luke’s Library as well.

If you want to know some alternatives then please watch our short film about study spaces

Law Library work

Leave a reply

In preparation for the building work in the Law Library, it will be necessary for the contractors to run tests on the Library ceiling.

These will take place from Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th April between 7 – 9am.

Disruption will be kept to a minimum and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The Main Library is open 24/7 and offers an alternative study space during this work.

Exams

Leave a reply

Need a place to study?

Pick up an alternative study map for full details of all study spaces at the Library or look online

Need to look at some old exam papers?

There is an archive of older exam papers which you can access online.  Just go to the Past Exam Paper Archive and then search for what you need. Any questions please do ask us.

Need some practical information?

Find out about any administration issues for exams such as specific provisions, regulations or deferments under the Examination pages of Academic Services.

Need some revision advice?

There is a great resource on ELE which has been developed by Education Enhancement called ‘Managing Revision and Coping with Exams’ which is well worth a visit.   It can help you develop a strategy for approaching your exams.

Need to rest?

If you are going to be studying in the Library overnight why not ask at the desk for a blanket which we can provide for you.

Remember some tips are :

  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Eat properly
  • Take some exercise
  • Take regular breaks
  • Check your timetable
  • Check the syllabus
  • Make a revision timetable

Need someone to talk to?

The Students Guild is there to provide information and support for any issue that you may have so go along and see them, they are there to help.  The Advice Unit has its website here where you can find contact information and opening hours.

Don’t forget there is also the Counselling Service which is there to give confidential help and advice.  Find out more about their services here.