The popularity of this facility has exceeded all expectations!
November 2010 marks the second anniversary of the creation of the Research Commons (RC). The Research Commons is a designated space within the Library for postgraduates who need computer and other facilities as well as subject librarian support. At UKZN, the Research Commons is located on the ground floor of the EG Malherbe Library.
The Research Commons @ UKZN is a quiet, comfortable space with a total of 19 desktop computers (2 with JAWS software for visually impaired students), and is staffed during working hours by a qualified subject librarian on a roster basis. Subject librarians provide assistance with literature searching, bibliographic referencing, use of e-resources and more. Other facilities include a photocopier and printer as well as a scanner and comfortable armchairs for relaxing. Since its inception, WIFI has been made available within the sphere of the RC, and individual workstations have been added to accommodate laptops. Software on the computers includes Endnote, Refworks and SPSS.
The popularity of the RC has exceeded all expectations with students regularly having to queue for workstations. Originally, the RC was only open during working hours but since the introduction of swipecard access in 2009, the RC has been available during the entire opening hours of the Library.
Some 10602 visits were made to the RC during this two year period. Between November 2008 and November 2009, 5605 visits were made to the RC whilst in the 10 month period from November 2009 to date, 4997 visits were recorded, indicating that increased patronage is likely for the second 12 month period over the first.
The majority of user queries in the RC relate to software, technical matters and access, followed by assistance with e-resources and research activities. The RC obviously needs to be expanded to meet increased demand for such a facility, a matter that is being investigated by the Library.
Some comments from users are as follows:
“This is a wonderful research environment that has been painfully missing from UKZN’s support structures for Masters and Phd students.”
“Nice quiet working environment. Comfortable seats and enough space for own books and papers.”
“I think this is a great facility for masters and Phd students. Finally a quiet, work conducive environment. The décor is beautiful too so well done.”
“This environment is wonderful for master’s research as the campus computer lans are not conducive to productivity (due to noise, poor lighting, etc.”
Subject librarians have found the experience of working with postgraduates in the RC rewarding but also challenging in terms of the range of technical queries in particular that they are confronted with, but these queries provide opportunities for upskilling and training.
Written by Omesh Jagarnath and Rose Kuhn, Subject Librarians at UKZN
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