Relaxed but purposeful: A case study in library services and self- evaluation at Moray College Angie MacKenzie LRC Officer 3 December 2009

MORAY COLLEGE Learning Resource Centre Purpose-built Purpose-built Opened April 2002 Opened April % increase in users: 4,000 users a week 65% increase in users: 4,000 users a week Wi-Fi, 20 laptops, 70 PCs Wi-Fi, 20 laptops, 70 PCs VC Suite, Study Support, ECDL VC Suite, Study Support, ECDL

The Road to Self-evaluation Annual Reports Annual Reports Facts & figures Facts & figures Descriptive Descriptive Library Association/CoFHE/SLIC for guidelines & standards Library Association/CoFHE/SLIC for guidelines & standards Incorporation of Scottish Colleges Incorporation of Scottish Colleges SLIC Toolkit 2003 SLIC Toolkit 2003

The Quality Calendar Internal Customer Evaluation (Sept) Internal Customer Evaluation (Sept) College Planning Day (Dec) College Planning Day (Dec) Section Operational Plans (Jan) Section Operational Plans (Jan) Staff Reviews (April) Staff Reviews (April) Self-evaluation reports (May) Self-evaluation reports (May) Accommodation & Planning Bids (May) Accommodation & Planning Bids (May)

Self-evaluation Reflection Reflection What impact on learners/user groups What impact on learners/user groups What difference has it made What difference has it made The “So what?” factor The “So what?” factor

HMIe Review “Light touch” “Light touch” Group interview Group interview Student team member Student team member LRC staff noted as one of 36 strengths in initial feedback. LRC staff noted as one of 36 strengths in initial feedback. “Relaxed but purposeful” “Relaxed but purposeful”

Case Study Redesign of LRC Lower Ground floor and new discussion room Redesign of LRC Lower Ground floor and new discussion room Staff review discussion Staff review discussion Operational plan Operational plan Learner/staff engagement Learner/staff engagement Observation/Roving Observation/Roving Accommodation & Planning Accommodation & Planning Evaluation Evaluation

SLIC Toolkit The tool-kit seems well-structured, easily understood and comprehensive, and sits well against the HMIe framework. I like the fact that it is inclusive of the student perspective and the needs of other customers/stakeholders, and I imagine it will be pretty effective in encouraging teams to engage in dialogue and question the impact of the service they provide. It also encourages teams to consider their involvement in the broader-institution perspective, which can be an aspect that is easily side-stepped. The tool-kit seems well-structured, easily understood and comprehensive, and sits well against the HMIe framework. I like the fact that it is inclusive of the student perspective and the needs of other customers/stakeholders, and I imagine it will be pretty effective in encouraging teams to engage in dialogue and question the impact of the service they provide. It also encourages teams to consider their involvement in the broader-institution perspective, which can be an aspect that is easily side-stepped. Fran Croydon, Quality Officer

Self-evaluation needs to be the cornerstone of any effective quality system but the way in which this is approached needs to be as relevant as possible to the service that is being evaluated. On that basis it is excellent that this toolkit exists, thus avoiding the need to use more generic alternatives. Self-evaluation needs to be the cornerstone of any effective quality system but the way in which this is approached needs to be as relevant as possible to the service that is being evaluated. On that basis it is excellent that this toolkit exists, thus avoiding the need to use more generic alternatives. Mike Devenney, Principal

Looking at the toolkit I'm pretty impressed with how much it links to our major initiatives ie learner engagement, supporting different types of learning, responsive to flexible approaches and promoting ICT in learning. It's also on the face of it quite user friendly. Seems to hit all the right buttons and can only bring about greater cohesion between LRCs, teaching staff and most importantly learners. Fits very well with the Learning and Teaching Strategy. Looking at the toolkit I'm pretty impressed with how much it links to our major initiatives ie learner engagement, supporting different types of learning, responsive to flexible approaches and promoting ICT in learning. It's also on the face of it quite user friendly. Seems to hit all the right buttons and can only bring about greater cohesion between LRCs, teaching staff and most importantly learners. Fits very well with the Learning and Teaching Strategy. Tom McGarry, Asst Principal: Planning & Quality Tom McGarry, Asst Principal: Planning & Quality

“The Learning Resource Centre at Moray College is well used amongst our student body. The centre has a pleasant atmosphere which encourages peaceful study. The staff are friendly, hard working and are always on hand to provide help, whatever help you need. This help is shown in the Learning Resource Centre Support Pack which details exactly what the LRC at Moray College offers. The building has fantastic resources compromising of over 29,000 books, monthly journals and scholarly articles. This year, the centre has installed a number of bean bags which encourage relaxed quite study. “The Learning Resource Centre at Moray College is well used amongst our student body. The centre has a pleasant atmosphere which encourages peaceful study. The staff are friendly, hard working and are always on hand to provide help, whatever help you need. This help is shown in the Learning Resource Centre Support Pack which details exactly what the LRC at Moray College offers. The building has fantastic resources compromising of over 29,000 books, monthly journals and scholarly articles. This year, the centre has installed a number of bean bags which encourage relaxed quite study.

We also have plenty of efficient technology on hand to help study as well as software to aid each individual’s style of learning, for example Mindjet Mind Manager and Blackboard. Learners in our LRC enjoy a very good atmosphere which encourages learning, through group areas and self study areas. If this continues Moray College students are well supported to work towards the qualifications they enrol for.” We also have plenty of efficient technology on hand to help study as well as software to aid each individual’s style of learning, for example Mindjet Mind Manager and Blackboard. Learners in our LRC enjoy a very good atmosphere which encourages learning, through group areas and self study areas. If this continues Moray College students are well supported to work towards the qualifications they enrol for.” Will Dale – Moray College Student Union President Will Dale – Moray College Student Union President