Keynote Presentation delivered by Richard Partridge at the 2008 BBSLG Conference, hosted by Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan University, 9-11 July

1. July 10th 2008
Remodeling Space
& Support
De Montfort University
Library Services
Richard Partridge
Public Services Manager, Library Services DMU
rpartridge@dmu.ac.uk
library.dmu.ac.uk

2. Kimberlin Library
•4 floors 9249m2 (?)
•1977 original build with 1997 extension
•1200 study spaces (inc 450 PC spaces)
•Footfall 750,000+ p.a.
•3,000,000 visitor hours p.a.
•24 hours Sunday to Friday (plus daytime
Saturday)

3. Background – the building
• Original Kimberlin building opened 1977
• Extension built 1997 with reconfiguration of
entrances but no alteration to original building
spaces
• IT barns vs. print based study with limits
• Longstanding ideas of entrance reconfiguration
together with ‘cyber café’ and better use of floor
space
• Opportunity presented itself – university support
and HEFCE funding secured (£1.63m)

4. Service Model & New Spaces
• Recommendations from 2005 review
exercise taken further
• RFID self service
• Greater proactivity (“roving”) &
responsiveness (Just Ask!)
• Skills sharing (combined enquiry desk,
student support)
• Integration of skills support (new within
library: CLASS, IT Training, Maths Learning
Centre)
• Staff identity
• Culture shift

5. Starting layout
(All red items removed – extensive gutting) entrance
toilets
blue = staff spaces,
pink = service points
purple = self service
cream =‘outside’
library envelope
Short
Loan
Media
stairs
Info
Quick Ref
stairs
lift

6. As we were…
View from entrance

7. Reverse view of concourse

8. Continuation of concourse looking towards group study room

9. Old side entrance to original building

10. Ground floor study area & offices

11. Accommodation Objectives (1)
•Improve quality of entrance
–Better reception facility
–Identify as a library
–Lighter and more welcoming
•Consolidate ‘Service’ functions
–Combine counters
–Bring reception together
–Design with self service and new support model in
mind
•Provide an enclosed Short Loan, preferably
adjacent to counter

12. Accommodation Objectives (2)
•Create “flexible, future proof study area with
power”
•Enclosed seminar/syndicate work rooms for
student use
•Improve staff accommodation
•Develop a Library Café (carrot)
•Space that can be used occasionally for teaching/
induction
•Address issues in other parts of the building

13. Development of plan
•Revisit HEFCE bid plan
•Start again from scratch
•Sketch ideas
•Draw inspiration
–Visits
–experience
•Develop and hone down options
•Internally driven

14. Timescales
•Vision paper(s) January 2005
•HEFCE bid Spring 2005
•Planning autumn/winter 2005
•Tenders Spring 2006 (RFID & construction)
•Phase 1 commence Sept 2006
•Phase 2 switch during xmas closed period
•Open to students February 14th 2007
•Phase 3 carpet and painting of upper floors
summer 2007

15. Project Management
•Library Project Team with Project Manager (me)
as ‘client’ rep & liaison
•University Estates: architect, M&E officer, clerk of
works*
•University appointed external Safety Coordinator
and M&E consultants
•Principal Contractor (Ibex), university nominated
M&E subcontractors plus rolling cast of other PC
appointed subcontractors
•Colour design injection from consultant
•Furniture layout & provision via Godfrey Syrett

16. One of many concept layouts
blue = staff space
pink = service poin
purple = self servi

17. As built & furnished
(40% increase in study capacity)
blue = staff spaces,
pink = service point
purple = self service

18. ‘Walk through’ artists impression
used for publicity

19. Construction phasing on Ground Floor
entrance
toilets
blue = staff spaces,
pink = service points
purple = self service
Lending cream = phase one
contractor zone
Phase One
Construction
Media Area
stairs
Info
stairs Short
Loan (moved) lift

20. Foyer transformation to service area

21. Foyer transformation to service area
Reverse view of service foyer

22. Old Refectory (‘outside’ library space)

23. Library Cafe

24. Ground Floor study area

25. ..cleared by the Christmas Faeries..

26. …gutted over Christmas…

27. …fitted out in January…

28. …open on Valentine’s Day 2007

29. Main Learning Zone

30. Mixed environment
•Ceiling heights
•Partitions
•Seating types

31. Syndicate rooms
•Four of
•10 person
•AV presentation equipped
•Student bookable for up to 2 hours, renewable half hourly

33. Quick access IT & copying ‘corridor’
Previously staff work room

34. Reverse view & construction

35. Group study transforming

36. …to Learning Development Zone

37. New Support Office (remote users, disability, reception)

38. First Floor Study Area (Phase 3, Summer 2007)

39. First Floor Help

40. First Floor IT area

41. Support within ‘old’ spaces
IT Help Desk Information Desk
IT Tech – second Librarian (SAL or AL)
or SIA. in depth
Second Floor (books 620-999, Silent point opened at
busier times with queries, focus on print
Study, copiers and IT lab, Teaching Room and electronic
back room technician
resources. Often staffed
passively ‘from the
office’
IT Tech - IT Help Desk Information Desk Librarian (SAL or
in depth IT AL) or SIA. in
support, depth queries,
First Floor (books 000-619, Quiet
specialist focus on print and
Study , copiers and IT lab applications electronic resources
, etc.
Security window Lending Counter Short Loan Counter Information Desk
Ground Floor Short
Loan, quiet study, group study,
staff offices
Security x 1visitor SIA + 2 x IA on counter, 1 x IA on counter, SL Librarian (SAL or
reception, occasional
IA bookdrop (returns & renewal circulation, AL) or SIA. in
patrolling of building
phone calls) 1 x IA ‘floater’ assistance with depth queries,
copiers and finding
Lower Ground Floor lending, reservations & ILL
material in SL
focus on print and
electronic
Silent Study, Journals and Abstracts, resources, main
Teaching Room Information Desk
enquiry telephone
Librarian (SAL or AL) or SIA. line
Infrequently staffed

42. Supporting new spaces
SIA information
Second Floor (books 620-999, Silent queries, localised
support. Weekday
Study, copiers and IT lab, Teaching Room Help Point daytimes only
IA rovers covering
IT Tech Librarian (SAL or all floors, in contact
AL) in depth with fixed help points
(sometimes
queries, keep desk via radio. Two at busy
x 2) in
First Floor (books 000-619, Quiet depth IT Main Help staffed at all times.
Would radio rover
times, one evenings
Study , copiers and IT lab support, Desk and weekends.
for requests that Additional person will
specialist
would take them be factored in when
applications
away from the desk annex come son line in
, etc.
early 2009
Security (x2 in Main Counter (badged Help & Service)
core hours) visitor
reception,
Ground Floor Learning patrolling of
Zone, Learning Development building Help Point
Zone, Café, quick access IT,
copiers, Short Loan, Self Service,
Entrance level IA x 2 + SIA IA ‘local’ rover
Support Office
lending, laptop loan, providing triage and
syndicate room referral, self service SIA support to users by
keys & booking, support , help with phone and email, ‘open
Lower Ground Floor short loan, equipment in area, door’ walk in support
Silent Study, Journals and Abstracts, reservations & ILL PINs, etc. (especially for
Teaching Room disabilities), booking for
specialist support,
reception for subject staff

43. Spaces in the Pipeline…
•New teaching accommodation August 2008
•Researcher space? December 2008
•Eric Wood Annex for January 2008
•Ground floor, ca. 180 study places, 800m2
•Flavor of Learning Zone with strong IT focus
•£800k budget including new windows
•Will open weekdays 0800 – 2200 and university closed
periods
•Staffed from Kimberlin
•New Law Library in £35m Business & Law
building opening September 2009

44. July 10th 2008
Questions?
Watch the library video at
library.dmu.ac.uk for more ‘feel’
about spaces and service
Richard Partridge
Public Services Manager, Library Services DMU
rpartridge@dmu.ac.uk
library.dmu.ac.uk