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The purpose of the survey from November 2012 was to find out how the Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) are being used and how they can be improved to ensure students use them to their full potential. Finding out how students view the LRCs in terms of their destined purpose revealed the facilities available are used both for research and recreational purposes. This indicates that the LRCs have the potential of being used more frequent by students, not only during peak times. The survey revealed information in regards to the reasons why students would be more inclined to make more use of the LRCs and also changes they would consider beneficial.

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With a total of 535 respondents the survey offers an insight into the opinion of students from all ranges of years, both frequent users (85%) as well as students who use the LRCs once a month or less (15%). Covering aspects like awareness levels, reasons for use/non-use and changes proposed, the following points summarise the findings. Awareness Levels Question 4 of the LRC survey asked respondents to indicate which of the 3 LRCs on campus they are aware of. The question is a multiple choice type and allows the respondent to chose 1,2 or 3 options. It was interesting to see that students that 73% of students who chose only one option (122) are aware of the LRC in the Library.

Interpreting the results from this perspective can point to multiple issues. For instance, if 7 in 10 students (according to the results) are only aware of the Library LRC, it is natural to get results that say that the number of computers is insufficient. Had they known about the other two LRCs, the students could potentially access a computer in one of the other 2 centres.

Preference The most popular LRC amongst the students is the one located on the 2nd floor of the Mountbatten Library.

The main reason for the preference is the easy access to books. 32% of students who prefer this LRC cited as a reason the easy access to books and journals, whilst 29% cited the environment (areas for quiet study or interactive technology in 0C). This signals that the library and learning resource centre on the 2nd floor of the library are regarded as the Library LRC on a whole by many of the respondents to survey. This signals that this issue might skew the results because the other two LRCs are not located within the library, therefore lack the stock of books and journals.

Satisfaction Levels The survey revealed very high satisfaction levels, as visible in the graph below, particularly in regards to the staff from the IT help desks.

Desired changes Question 11 invited students to indicate changes that would encourage them to use any of the LRCs more. The overview of the results is available below, indicating that students would desire a change in environment and more computers.

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Some of the comments regarding the Environment are: o Block off the teaching areas - listening to instruction for a different class is too intrusive. o A more obvious distinction between group and quietstudy areas. o More quiet areas, it's hard to concentrate on something when there are 100 students talking near you o Comfy chairs to read in. o Less Windows PCs would make the experience better. I would like there to be less noise and a more calm, library like, ambience. The library feels like it was cheap to build, although attempts have been made to make it look attractive, it needs a fundamental revamp. It feels like there isn't enough space. The air conditioning appears to be just plain broken. Sorting these things would help. Oh and please fix the taps in the gentlemen's toilet on the ground floor, none of them work properly - I tried to check the taps in the ladies but apparently this makes me a "pervert." New resources Following the question regarding overall changes desired, the students were asked to indicate what other resources they would like to see in the LRCs. Although slightly similar to the previous question, Question 12 required students to think one more time, this time specifically in regards to resources, what can be bettered. This was one of the main aims of the survey and the 653 open field text responses offer a very broad range of data on the students desires.

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Availability of computers 69% of respondents to survey indicated that they were unable to find a computer in any of the LRCs, with 47% claiming that the frequency of this instance is weekly.

However, based on the awareness levels of the 3 LRCs in the East Park Terrace Campus, where the Andrews LRC or Mathews LRC are less known to students, it can be assumed that it is a matter of making the former two more known to students. Nevertheless, the 3 LRCs are used to maximum capacity during peak times, particularly during the day (especially days when deadlines are set for assignments). Environment Students indicated that the LRCs need better air conditioning, as well as more comfortable seating. In addition to that students indicated that the space between computers is too tight. However, the LRCs are designed in a manner that allows as many computers to be stored within the available space. An issue in regards to the environment of the LRCs signalled by students is the fact that greasy, smelly food is consumed within the LRCs, which hinders students working there and also creates a mess.

Study areas Respondents to the LRC survey indicated that the different types of study areas are not clearly differentiated. Students use their mobile phones and have loud conversations in the silent areas, as reported by respondents to the survey. Perhaps a more clear enforcement of rules is necessary in these areas.

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More resources PCs and Macs More printing facilities More staff available in the LRCs (Library and Mathews)

The Andrews LRC was praised for their level of staffing and the staffs willingness to help and friendliness. This would be recommended for the other two LRCs as well. Air-conditioning (especially in the library) More awareness This is the most important change proposed, because it has the potential of resolving the number one issue reported by students in the survey, the number of computers available. The 3 LRCs need to be advertised very clearly as well as the laptop loans service in the library. The focus should be on the advertising from the Library LRC, due to results indicating that 7 in 10 students are aware of this centre only.