In the stacks

The unprecedented success of a student-led initiative to contribute funds to improve library services, including offering 24-7 access to the Webster Library on the Sir George Williams Campus, has led to a pilot accessibility project at the Loyola Campus Vanier Library for the first time.

According to Webster Library Director Guylaine Beaudry, visits to the downtown library between midnight and 8 a.m. account for 10% of library use. If that proportion bears out during the exam-period trial at Vanier, that library could become the second in Quebec to offer round-the-clock term-time access.

Students are also benefiting from the purchase of over 100 new laptops for free loan at each library’s circulation desk.

The funds are being used as well to support a university-wide undergraduate textbook reserve project. A special textbook reserve room will be opened at the Webster Library after Reading Week in the winter 2011 term. Students will be able to check out textbooks there, instead of going through the circulation desk.