The Library/Learning Centre is a quiet, independent learning environment, which currently provides seating for 110 students across two floors. This includes 14 group desks on the main floor, 17 independent study carrels on the Mezzanine level and 38 PCs (across both floors) that are available on a first come first serve basis. Further facilities include 3 Scanners attached to PCs, 1 Colour photocopier, 3 printers – two black and white and one b&w/colour and three viewing stations (2 for DVDs and 1 for videos). The library also provides access to e-resources including Encyclopaedia Britannica, The Oxford English Dictionary Online, NewsFilm online, Film and Sound Online and the College VLE.
With over 30,000 resources including books, DVDs, newspapers, Journals and e-resources, the Library offers a wide range of materials for all subject areas and interests. Students are actively encouraged to read for pleasure and the Library has a large fiction collection including graphic novels and manga. We welcome suggestions for new additions to the collection and regularly update the stock.
The Library opens at 8am Monday to Friday and closes at 7pm on Monday and Tuesday and 5.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This allows students to carry out work before and after time-tabled College activities. The Mezzanine (upper level IT suite) opens at 9.00 every day and closes at 5.30 on Mondays and Tuesdays, at 4.00 on Wednesdays and 4.30 on Thursdays and Fridays. The Library is not open on weekends or during the holidays.
Students are permitted to take out six items from the Library at a time using their College ID card. Most books are issued on a two week loan however core texts and some study guides can only be issued for 3 days to one week at a time. This is to ensure that all students have accessed to core subject materials. DVDs are issued for 3 days. Magazines cannot be taken out but articles from them can be photocopied in the Library.
At the start of the College year students are given 200 printer credits and 10 photocopy. After they have been used, students can top up their accounts at the Library Issue desk using their College ID cards. Printer credits are 50 for £1 and photocopy credits are 25 for £1.
There are six members of staff in the Library who are always on hand to assist students. The Library staff are all trained information professionals who have combined experience of 40 years in School, Public and University libraries. The staff have in depth knowledge of various subjects including English and American Literature, American History and Politics, Art, Law, Modern Foreign Languages, Business and I.T.