The College eLibrary

Learning Resource Services Quality Charter

Contents:

LRS Mission Statement

  1. To support the academic work of the College by
    • providing Library and Learning Resources services which conform to the highest professional standards
    • attempting to meet the information needs of staff and students by providing access to a comprehensive range of print-based and electronic resources relevant to The College curriculum offer
    • providing a learning environment conducive to different styles of learning
    • providing modern IT systems for students, in open access centres and College classrooms
    • on-going development of College data network to deliver fast Intranet and Internet services to the desktop
    • bidding for both College and external funding to improve the quality of Learning Resources services and IT provision across The College
    • seeking to make year-on-year improvements to the quality of service offered to College students
  2. To promote a caring, supportive and responsive attitude among LRS staff to students which will encourage them to both use and benefit from the services and facilities provided by the LRS.

What is the Learning Resources Service?

Introduction

Learning Resources Services consists of

  • Three Learning Resources Centres which aim to meet the information needs of students and staff and provide open access IT and audio visual (AV) facilities and resources
  • Media and IT Section which provides computing and AV equipment and associated advisory and support services
  • Information and Learning Technology Centre which trains academic staff in how to produce and effectively use electronic courseware with their students. It also acts as an Editorial Board to ensure that students are guaranteed access to high quality on-line materials
The LRS Quality Charter spells out both the standards that we are determined to achieve so that you are clearly aware of what you can expect when you use our services and also your obligations when making use of these services.

Learning Resources Centres

What We Do

The three Learning Resources Centres provide a range of learning resources which try to meet the information needs of our students and staff. We also provide open access IT and AV facilities and support for students using these facilities.

What you can expect from your LRC

Our Standards

For all of our users we provide:

Service

  • Polite, well trained staff
  • Lending, reference and enquiry services
  • Assistance with use of equipment, including computers, video players, photocopiers
  • Helping users to access e-learning material on College Intranet, CD-Roms, electronic databases, Internet resources and standard College software packages

Materials

  • Access to a broad range of print-based and electronic resources to meet your course needs
  • Study packs which supplement existing stock and are specially compiled to help you with your assignments
  • Easy to use on-line catalogue and on-line subject guides to help you find the materials you need
  • Wide range of videos, e-learning materials, CD-Roms and software packages on the College Intranet and Web Server
  • Access to Internet.
Loans
  • Standard loan of up to 6 items for 2-week period. You can renew twice by telephone call or personal application, as long as they are not wanted by another reader, and the total loan period does not exceed 6 weeks
  • Overnight loan for materials in heavy demand
  • Whenever possible a full set of course text books for the academic year will be provided to participating full-time courses on payment of a fee and deposit
  • Reminders for overdue materials
  • Students can borrow up to 3 items from Bournemouth University

Equipment

  • Safely installed equipment
  • Properly maintained and repaired equipment
  • Adequate supply of equipment to meet student demand
  • Networked computers which run standard College software and are Internet and Intranet enabled
  • Range of electronic databases, including on-line catalogue
  • Video conferencing links at North Road and Lansdowne sites
  • Video replay
  • Photocopiers
Accommodation and facilities
  • Pleasant working conditions with comfortable furniture
  • Clear understandable guiding and arrangement of stock through
  • Signs
  • Notices
  • Indexes
  • Subject and course guides to LRC resources
Advice and Guidance
  • Guidance in the use of the LRC through:
    • comprehensive induction programme
    • general, subject/course and IT centre user guides
    • on-going support and guidance from LRC staff

Opening Times

  • Access to LRCs during day time and evening as follows:
Poole and Lansdowne Centres Mon -Thurs8.45 am - 7.00 pm
Lansdowne Friday9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Poole Friday9.15 am - 5.00 pm
Constitution Hill Mon & Thurs8.45 am - 5.00 pm
Tues & Weds8.45 am - 7.00 pm
Friday9.30 am - 4.00 pm
  • Access to Poole and Lansdowne LRCs during vacation periods as follows:
    Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
What we require of you

We want all our students to benefit from a pleasant learning environment and a responsive and efficient service. As users of the LRCs, you are partners in its operation and to make sure that you get the best out of your LRC we need you to support the following systems and procedures.

Borrowing Materials

When you borrow materials we need you to:

  • Take responsibility for the care and security of materials. You will be sent an account for replacement costs of items which are not returned, lost or damaged. Your LRC membership ticket is not transferable so you are responsible for any item issued in your name. Do not copy any videotape that you have borrowed from the LRC, otherwise you are liable to prosecution. When you return your course text books at the end of the year your deposit will be held over for the second year or refunded if you have completed your course.
  • Support the spirit of sharing resources by returning materials when requested.
  • Return/renew materials within the time given. You will be charged fines on any books or videos you bring back late. A fine of 20p per item per day will be levied for standard LRC loan items and 50p per item for restricted loan items and video loans. You can easily avoid fines by returning your books on time or by renewing them personally or by telephone.

Using the Facilities and Services

You will be expected to show consideration for other users and LRC staff by:

  • working quietly in designated Quiet Study areas
  • talking quietly in group work areas
  • not eating on any LRC premises
  • not playing personal stereos
  • not using mobile phones
  • using furniture and equipment properly and asking for assistance if you have problems
  • being courteous and considerate towards other students and staff, particularly at busy times
  • adhering to the terms and conditions of The College "Acceptable Use of IT Policy" which is located within the "Student Information" section of The College Intranet
  • abiding by copyright regulations displayed near the photocopiers.

Media and IT Services

What We Do

The Media and IT Section provides access to a range of IT and AV equipment and materials and support in the use of these resources.

Our Standards

For all of our users we provide

Service

  • Polite, well trained staff
  • Advice and guidance on how to use AV equipment (e.g. data projectors, cameras, video replay)
  • Assistance to students working with IT and other equipment in MITS open access IT centres and classrooms
  • Installation, maintenance and repair of such equipment
  • Preparation, issue and return of equipment and materials as appropriate.

Computing and Audio Visual Facilities

  • Access to resources on the College data network including standard software applications, specialist applications, College Intranet which hosts many e-learning materials, Internet and Internet e-mail
  • Access to a range of IT and AV equipment and materials
  • Off-air video recordings
  • Video copying (subject to copyright)
Environment
  • Ensuring the working environment is clean, healthy and safe, with due regard for health and safety regulations
  • Pleasant working conditions with comfortable furniture

What we expect of you

We want all of our students to benefit from a responsive and efficient service. As users of the Media and IT Section you are partners in its operation and to make sure that you get the best out of our services we need you to support the following systems and procedures.

  • Adhere to The College's "Acceptable Use of IT Policy" which is located within the "Standard Information" section of The College Intranet
  • Not downloading software from bulletin boards or other external electronic mail sources
  • Not disclosing personal computer passwords to other students
  • Logging out from the computer network at the end of each session
  • Using equipment properly and asking for assistance if you have problems
  • Reporting any breakages or faults promptly
  • Arranging with your tutor the booking and loan of equipment
  • Arranging with your tutor the collection and return of equipment to MITS offices
  • Arranging with your tutor to inform MITS staff of any cancellations/changes to booking arrangements

Not satisfied with any of the LRS Services?

Please raise any of your concerns either in person or in writing and we will do everything in our power to address them.

The College also has in place a set of comments, complaints and compliments procedures which are specifically designed to help you to register your concerns and to help us to resolve them. Copies of these forms are available at all LRC and MITS service points.

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