Library a Hot-Spot of Activity
Dedicated scholars and librarians will tell you that the Library is always an exciting place to be. With activity levels continuing to increase in the Library, this sentiment has never been truer.
How busy is the Library?
The general sense from students and staff is that it is busier than ever. University Librarian, Mark Haslett, notes that "from day one of the fall term our locations have been buzzing with energy and activity." The numbers are backing this observation up.
According to library statistics, activity has increased across the board — in all areas, from the Information Desks to the website:
- There has been an 18% increase in the number of questions asked at the Porter Information Desk during the first 6 weeks of classes compared to last year.
- Similarly, there was a 20% increase in the number of questions asked at the Davis Information Desk over a 2-week trial period.
- At the Musagetes Library in Cambridge, Branch Head Michele Laing notes that there were more people in the Library than previous years, and that not all of these people are looking for resources. “Quite a few people come in just to read quietly or do work on their laptops.” She even describes how, on occasion, instructors hold informal classes within the library space.
- Special Collections saw a 27% increase in the number of researchers this October from the same month last year, with class visits from upper year English, History, and Literary Studies playing a significant role.
- At the Map Library, attendance at user education sessions has increased 50%, reaching an additional 400 students this year compared to last.
- The Map Library has also seen an increase in the number of geospatial questions asked. Statistics already show an 18% increase from 2006, with November and December still ahead.
- Librarians have provided over 156 research workshops this term, not including those scheduled as class visits.
- On the virtual front, there has been an increase of over 50% in the number of questions librarians have received through the IM service since last year, and users have already started taking advantage of the newly offered Skype service.
- Virtual visits to the Library are also worth noting, with a significant increase in the number of home page visits from the previous year. In September and October alone, the Library’s website had over 830,000 visits, with well over 2 million page views.
Why the increased activity?
On pure speculation, increased library activity could be linked to a number of factors, most notably, to the increase in the number of students on campus. It has also been suggested by Wish Leonard, Manager of Circulation Services and Resource Sharing, that increased traffic is connected to the installation of the Library’s RFID security system, which permits people to come and go freely, without having to have their bags checked when exiting the Library.
One thing is certain though – if the busy study areas in Davis and long lines at Browsers Cafe in Porter are any indication, activity in the Library shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
, Communications and Liaison Librarian
, Co-ordinator, Library Communications and Web Management
, Assistant, Library Communications and Web Development
November 9, 2007
