The Library has been recognised for its contribution to “Enhancing the student experience” as a runner up in the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence and Innovation for 2011.

The award was presented to the Library for bringing best practice in information literacy to Curtin through the introduction of a comprehensive suite of web-based, interactive library guides and tutorials known as LibGuides. Engaging, simple to produce and use, LibGuides introduces students to resources in all Curtin’s teaching areas and essential learning skills.

Available through the library website, mobile apps and Blackboard, LibGuides meets students’ demand for anywhere, anytime, point-of-need information.

The university will be performing power maintenance on December the 3rd.

 The library has been advised that all library services will be available during the maintenance but there is a small risk you may experience loss of access to library services on that day.

In the case of an outage we will endeavor to restore services as soon as possible.

Refurbishments to the toilets near the lifts on level 4 of Robertson Library will commence on Monday 14 November and are expected to be completed by 17 February 2012. The toilets immediately beneath on level 3 will also be closed for this period. The nearest toilet for people with disabilities is located on level 5.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

From the Suggestion Box @ your library….

The network access speed in the Library, perhaps elsewhere, has been extremely poor recently. Accessing Blackboard or Internet can be painstakingly long. Today, I am unable to stream an iLecture in the lowest possible resolution. This is surely unacceptable, a University of this apparent calibre should have much better network/Internet access, considering the majority of students rely on access to study. Another day wasted by coming on to campus to study. Patience is wearing thin with this University. I know I’m not alone in the sentiment. Also, power for laptops at Level 2 carrells rarely works, with very few alternative access points available. Come on Curtin, please get it together or you’ll soon start seeing ECU enrolments increasing.

The library response…

Thank you for your comment.

I referred your query to the University Networks people as they are responsible for the Network speed.

University Networks proactively monitor the wireless network and are alerted when there is a problem with a wireless access point. However, in order to troubleshoot particular issues, they need as much information about the issue as possible (time, specific location, your student number etc). If you report this to Library staff (for example via a Rover or the Enquiries desk) we can log a service call.

Wireless networks “share bandwidth” which means all the devices connected to a specific access point are sharing the connection speed. If there are a number of people connected to the same access point and all are streaming video (iLectures, YouTube etc) then the connection speed for everyone is reduced. To address this, the University IT people are continually increasing the number of access points across the campus, including the Library and will be progressively installing more access points over the upcoming semester break and throughout 2012. The increased number of access points will mean less clients connected to each so everyone can have a faster connection speed.

In addition, the IT people advise that it is possible that there could be an issue with your computer, wireless configuration, updates being run, background processes using up processor or network bandwidth etc. Without having someone look at their laptop when they were experiencing the issue is difficult diagnose.

In summary, next time you experience this frustrating problem please tell a Rover and we will do our best to resolve the problem.

I have reported your comments about the power points to the University Electrical people and requested they give it urgent attention.

Lynne Vautier

Associate Director, Flexible Delivery & Lending Services

A Recent Additions tab has been added to the Library Catalogue.

The tab lets you search:

• Additions – 7 days (newly received titles from the last 7 days)
• Recommendations (all titles received in the last 12 months, plus all items currently on order).

From your search results you may be offered the option to refine by School/Area, On Order/Received  and four predefined receival periods.

You can also browse cover images of our new books with the Virtual Bookshelf.

As always we are interested in your feedback so please feel free to leave a comment.

We know there are plenty of times when you have questions such as when you can’t find a particular journal article or you need help locating resources to complete an assignment. Library staff are happy to answer your questions, whether you are on or off campus. Our Contact Us link (see Top Links on the library homepage) lists a number of options. Here are some online options:

• AskOnline: Chat online in real time with library staff. This service is available 9am to 5pm weekdays, exclusively for Curtin students and staff.
• Email: We welcome your queries, comments and suggestions. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours in most cases.

We are inviting you to tell us what you think about the new booth seating on level 3.

The library is committed to continuous improvement of its services and spaces. Recent surveys suggest that you need more group study spaces and power points for laptops and other mobile devices. In response to this we have installed new booth seating with power points on level 3, providing an attractive, convenient space for groups to work together.

We’d like your feedback – any comments about the refurbished space, furniture used, location or new ideas are welcome.