Tuesday, August 13, 2013

A Message from the Library about the Scholars Centre

Dear Postgraduate Students

As you may know Information Services is planning some upcoming changes to the Reid Library for implementation in February 2014.

The refurbishments are part of an overall plan to transform the Reid Library to better meet the needs of students.  The first stage of this transformation (in 2012) was the creation of the collaborative study zone on the ground floor and the provision of 24 hour access.  The next stage is the creation of a new postgraduate area on the first floor of the Reid Library.  This new area will significantly expand the facilities available to postgraduate research students.  Access will be via UWA student card based on enrolment type with two distinct areas within the facility; for silent study and collaborative work.  The silent area which will be totally sound-proofed will include 153 ergonomically designed desks and chairs with power available at each desk.  The second area will include 30 informal spaces, student lockers, printing and computing facilities and a dedicated bookable meeting room with technologies for collaborative student work.   The new location will be adjacent to the main help area on the first floor with convenient access to student IT assistance and subject librarian and research support.

When the new area opens (anticipated February 2014) the current Scholars’ Centre on the second floor will close.  Desks in the new facility will be available to all postgraduate research students and the current desk and carrel allocation system will cease.  This will provide more equitable and flexible access to all postgraduate research students across UWA, and will alleviate the unmet demand for what is currently limited available desk space in the Scholars' Centre.   Lockers will be available for storing books and other belongings in the new facility.  Consultation via the Postgraduate Student Association, including student meetings with the Architect responsible for design, have already occurred and it is expected that these will continue as more detailed decisions are made (eg. design and partitioning of desks, size and number of lockers, and the style of furniture).

Information Services will work with the Graduate Research School and faculties to transition the current students using the Scholars’ Centre to the new space and more information about the transition will be provided soon.

For further information or to view the plans for the new space please contact Roz Howard, Assistant Director (Arts, Business, Law), Information Services – roz.howard@uwa.edu.au.

Many thanks

Jill



Jill Benn | Associate Director (Research and Learning Support)
Information Services
The University of Western Australia M209
35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009
Ph: +61 8 6488 2341   

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CRICOS Provider Code 00126G

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Changes to the Scholars Centre









Dear Postgraduate Students,

There have been several rumours circulating about changes to the Scholars Centre in the Reid Library. The following information is what has been told to the PSA from the Library Executive.

During the current renovation and relocation of the Scholars Centre in the Reid Library the current plan is to no longer offer permanent desk space to honours and postgraduate students. The Library have noted that it is not the responsibility or a requirement for the Library to provide permanent desk space for postgraduate students as this responsibility lies with the Faculties. In the new refurbishment there will be up to double the desk space provided for postgraduate and honours students in the Scholars Centre, with the inclusion of group working areas. However, none of this desk space will be assigned. Lockers will be provided in the scholars centre for students wishing to leave books, laptops, etc there.

The library has assured the PSA that they are currently consulting with the Faculty of Arts and other Faculties on the issue of desk allocation. The Library have guaranteed us that they will be flagging this change with the Faculties to warn them of the increased pressures that will be placed on existing desk space.
I realise that this is not news that postgraduates in the Scholars Centre will want to hear. The library has told me that they will be informing all of the affected individuals of what is happening as soon as the plans are finalised. For more information or up to date information I encourage affect postgraduates to contact the library. http://www.uwa.edu.au/people/jill.benn

As the PSA is informed of more information we will update the postgraduate community.

Thank you,

Gemma Bothe

2013 PSA President.