This year’s Library Student Advisory Committee (LSAC) consisted of 10 undergraduate and graduate students from a wide range of faculties. The group met four times, and engaged in in-depth discussions about their experiences with regard to UBC Library. In the first meeting, committee members were introduced to the activities and scope of the Library over the last year, including a quick summary of accomplishments made by last year’s LSAC (such as securing a Graduating Students Fund of $5,000 for the IKBLC Multimedia Rooms). In a group visioning exercise, the 2013/14 committee determined that it would focus on two key areas: branch and building hours, and study spaces.
During the next three meetings, the committee shared its feedback in a variety of ways, including a two-part Design Thinking process. Elements included: the experience of graduate students looking for in-person Library resources and space during the summer; potential challenges with early branch closing hours on Friday evenings; suggestions for Library space renovations, including natural lighting and options to secure valuables; and possibilities for group and quiet study spaces.
Each meeting featured a presentation about a particular element of the Library, which the students found particularly valuable in order to engage in informed discussion. Meeting minutes are available online.
Hanna Murray, LSAC member and Faculty of Arts student, noted the range of services offered by Library branches. “Within UBC Library, students can access virtually every resource they need to succeed in their studies,” she says. “The Library relies on and listens to the voices of the UBC student community” in order to improve on services and spaces.
Silvia Leung, also a Faculty of Arts student, agrees. “There is actually action and not just talk,” she says, reflecting on her term with LSAC.
The Library Student Advisory Committee will reconvene with a new group of students in the fall.
Thank you to all the committee members for your contributions over the past academic year!