The Working Library

The last twelve months have seen a gradual return of the Working Library to pre-COVID operation. In-person Library inductions resumed at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term 2021. The half hour tour covered both the Working and the Old Library. Students had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the layout of the Library, the facilities and resources available, and in particular, the location of materials related to their own subjects. In reverting to normality, the Working Library switched back to 24/7 opening hours at the end of the Lent Term, and full seating capacity was restored.

After nearly twenty years of use, the life of the people counter (located at the entrance to the Library) finally expired. A new infrared sensor was installed in October 2021. The updated technology enables us to keep track of Library occupancy in real time, providing data on numbers at any time – both as snapshots and over any time periods we choose. It provides information on the busiest and quietest times. As a management tool it is useful for planning the least disruptive times to commission building work, and to decide when more or less seating capacity is needed. In this regard, the new sensor has already proved useful during COVID for ensuring that occupancy capacity in the Library is at a safe level, and for tracking demand for additional seating.

It is now five years since the inauguration of the Library Newsletter. Since the first edition in 2017, the Newsletter has gone from strength to strength, covering new developments and information on the Working Library, the Old Library and the Archives section of interest to College members. My sincere gratitude goes to all Library staff and Fellows who have contributed to the Newsletter over these years.

Following a three-year cycle of stocktaking of the whole of the Working Library collections, the summer 2022 part of the stocktaking exercise has been ably led by our part-time Library Assistant, Katie Hannawin. Significantly, undertaking a full stock check such as this enables us to identify all missing items across the entire Library, and to start the process of replacement where appropriate.

I am delighted that the Working Library has once again been awarded accreditation for another year. The accreditation scheme offers an opportunity for library staff to demonstrate their expertise in implementing beneficial technologies to improve library services. It provides an incentive to seek continuous improvement and acknowledges that College members are receiving the best possible provision of Library services.

Regarding the fabric of the Library building, upgrades have recently been made to heating and hot water supply. In summer 2021, new pipes and a hot water cylinder were installed in the Library Basement Plant Room, the purpose of which is to keep hot water at a consistent temperature to minimise heat loss. Additionally, during summer 2022, all the radiators in the Library received new valves to improve the regulation of heat around the building, and to make it more energy efficient. Improvements have also been made to the AV resources. Rebecca Le Marchand (Library Assistant) has overseen growth in the collection made possible by kind donations from Dr Terence Denman. This year the focus has been on expanding and diversifying the film collection, and on consolidating and tidying the CD collection. All the CDs featuring the St. John's College Choir have now been arranged on a separate spinner and organised chronologically by year of recording so that Library users can locate a particular concert they may have attended or appreciate how the sound of the choir has changed over the decades.

Janet Chow Academic Services Librarian