IT and Library news

As the detailed plans of the Templeman Library extension project are taking shape, you can now view the architects’ ‘walkthroughs’ of some of the spaces:

• Level 1 shows the extension atrium, the new 250 seat lecture theatre and social learning spaces
• Level 2 shows the amazing exhibition space and study spaces
• The last one shows the remodelled entrance to the Library.

Workshops to look at furniture layouts and design will take place during Autumn term 2013 and will involve feedback from staff and students; the layouts in the walkthroughs are just examples.

The walkthroughs require Flash to run in your web browser. You can use the mouse or keyboard arrow keys to move around the space. If you scroll to the bottom of the screen there are more thumbnails to choose from.

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Following consultation with the Kent Union and academic staff, we are pleased to offer longer loans to registered part-time students, who can now borrow Ordinary Loans from the Templeman Library for the longer period of 6 weeks. Such items can be recalled after 2 weeks.

The 6 week loan period closely matches the attendance for part-time module teaching, and we hope that this change will greatly improve access to Library materials for all part-time students.

All books from the former Part-time Collection have been moved into the Main Collection as Ordinary Loan items.

We have also worked with the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS) to offer longer loans to DDSS registered students with Inlusive Learning Plans (ILPs), who can now borrow most Templeman Library books for longer:

• Ordinary Loans for 6 weeks (these can be recalled by another user after 2 weeks)
• One Week Loans for 2 weeks
• 3 Day Loans for 5 days

Full information on borrowing from the Templeman Library: www.kent.ac.uk/library/templeman/borrow

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The University marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on Friday 17 May with events that included the flying of a rainbow flag on the Templeman Library. The rainbow flag has been the international symbol for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities and social movements around the world since the 1970s.

Members of the University’s LGBT Staff Network invited students and staff to meet them outside the Library to ask questions about the day and the role of the network.

Dr Ian Cooper, Chair of the University’s LGBT Staff Network, said: ‘This day is being marked globally to remember those who suffer from homophobia and transphobia. May 17th is significant because it was the date that homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases by the World Health Organisation in 1990. Here at Kent the LGBT Staff Network successfully organised its first LGBT History Month activities in February of this year and we hope to continue to raise awareness of the role of LGBT staff and students at the University.’

University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Mander said: ‘The University is proud of its record in supporting the LGBT Staff Network as it works to raise awareness of the issues still facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people worldwide. The Network has achieved a great deal since it was formed to represent LGBT staff and this event will contribute to raising its profile even more.’

Further information on the University’s LGBT Staff Network can be found on the University’s Equality and Diversity web pages.

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