Libraries Annual Report 2023/24
A year of outstanding progress in student education, digital transformation and community engagement is demonstrated in the Libraries Annual Report 2023/24.
The Libraries Annual Report 2023/24 uses engaging graphics, data and case studies to showcase the efforts of staff and students in making the Libraries a hub of innovation, opportunity and inclusivity for everyone.
Enhanced access to resources
Access to resources was expanded, adding to the suite of digital tools supporting students in their academic journey. This includes over one million new accessible ebooks, easier library access through the Sentry app, Bring Your Own Device workstations, and the launch of the Library of Things, where students can borrow multimedia equipment.
Developing academic and digital skills
Developing academic and digital skills is essential for student success. Over 30,000 students received teaching from our Learning Development team, either through in-curricular sessions or co-curricular workshops. This helps students not only in their studies but in preparing for their future careers.
Supporting peer-to-peer learning
The Writing Space, now available every day, offers students more opportunities for peer-to-peer support in a friendly and informal setting. Students are able to develop their writing and research skills in a nurturing environment.
New workshops and enrichment opportunities
New workshops, one-to-one appointments, and drop-in sessions provided students with additional ways to improve their skillset. A remarkable 96% of students reported that they learned something valuable from these sessions, which covered topics such as artificial intelligence for literature reviews and digital skills.
Empowering students through internships
A source of pride over the past year has been how the library's internship programme has empowered and developed students with valuable hands-on experience. Two key projects are highlighted in the report: one involved creating a recipe book with refugees and asylum seekers using the Library's cookery collection as inspiration, and another saw a student present their work at an international conference as part of a digital humanities internship.
Supporting Open Research Culture
The Library’s Research Services team plays a key role in supporting the University’s Open Research Culture. This year, the team introduced a new rights retention policy, improved open data consent forms, and created a new Open Research Advisor role. These initiatives help researchers adopt open research practices, making research more accessible to all.
Supporting researchers
The research analytics service provided valuable insights and data to support strategic priorities within the University. The literature searching service delivered expert reviews for 11 research projects, while a new flipped classroom model for research workshops was praised for increasing student and staff engagement.
Cultural engagement and community impact
The Library Galleries continued to thrive as a vibrant cultural hub, offering groundbreaking exhibitions and initiatives with local communities. These events celebrated diversity, creativity and academic excellence, providing opportunities for students, staff and the public to engage in meaningful discussions and explore new ideas.
A year of innovation and leadership
The annual report celebrates these achievements and more, reinforcing the Library’s reputation as a user-focused leader in digital innovation, open research and student education.
To learn more about how the library supported our communities last year, read the full Libraries Annual Report 2023/24.
