Kimberlin Library’s eight bookable syndicate rooms are undergoing a make-over this summer and will be unavailable from Monday 10th June for up to 5 weeks while they are refurbished by Estates and ITMS.
They’ll be returning in mid July with all-new AV, including Mersive Solstice collaborative software and Smart Surface walls. You’ll be able to share your own device content to screen and make use of full-wall writable surfaces to develop your work using the whole room as your canvas. This video from Mersive gives you a taste of the collaboration you’ll be able to achieve within our syndicate rooms after their upgrade.
The Law Library’s two bookable syndicate rooms will remain available throughout the period of work and group working spaces are available in other areas of Kimberlin Library.
With revision underway and final assessments approaching, DMU Library and Learning Services (LLS) want to help you study smart and stay healthy during this critical time of the academic year.
Look out for the Library Night Trolley from 8pm until late Sunday to Thursday, dispensing FREE hot and cold drinks and fruit to help you refuel while studying at night during the exam period. The friendly Night Trolley staff can take time out to chat to you and offer guidance and support on healthy study.
From 1 to 5 April, LLS is running a series of free workshops on exam and assignment success covering subjects such as using evidence, referencing, critical writing and much more. You can find out more and book here.
Thanks to your feedback, they’ve also been working to make the Library an even better space to use:
The Law Library and Eric Wood Learning Zone will be open 24/7 until the end of term. Following the Easter break they will be open 24/7 again until the end of the exam period
Laptops are now able to be loaned for three hours rather than two
20 additional PCs have been added to the Eric Wood Learning Zone
More whiteboards have been bought for Kimberlin Library
110 more silent study spaces on the Lower Ground and Second Floor of Kimberlin Library
Access control is being reintroduced to the Law Library on a permanent basis from Monday 11th March. If you don’t have your ID card, you won’t be able to make use of the Law Library.Access will be for card holding DMU students only.
Outside of weekday office hours you will also need your DMU ID card to access Hugh Aston Building via the “Law Library” entrance (behind the Stephen Lawrence Centre). You’ll find a card reader to the left of the door.
Access rights via these doors should be automatically granted, though your card may take a few moments to re-validate over the network. If you experience a problem with your card, please contact DMU Security Office.
Longer ‘pop-up’ opening hours in Eric Wood Learning Zone and the Law Library
With the end of the teaching calendar in sight, exams looming after Easter and dissertation deadlines, we know that this is a busy time for everyone. It’s great news that IT labs in Gateway House, Vijay Patel and Queens Buildings are open until midnight and at weekends, but we’re also ensuring that more spaces are available to you 24/7 at this critical time.
We’ve added another 20 PCs to Eric Wood Learning Zone to increase capacity and Eric Wood Learning Zone is open 24/7 from 11th March until the end of Spring term (Friday 5th April) to give you more space and time to complete your work before the end of term.
In response to feedback, to cater for final assignments and revision we are piloting 24/7 opening of the Law Library from 11th March until the end of Spring term (Friday 5th April), and again from 29th April to 10th May. Access will be for card holding DMU students only.
Eric Wood is open 24 hours across the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and 24/7 through until May 10th, then normal opening until the end of May
And don’t forget:
We added 110 additional Silent Study spaces this year in Kimberlin Library on the Lower Ground Floor
From 11th March we’re extending laptop loan times to 3 hours
When not in use for teaching, you’ll find 22 PCs for quiet study in Teaching Room 0.07a off the Learning Development Zone
Staying healthy and well at busy, stressful times is important. Your library is here to help you cope with final assignment and exam revision season.
Refuel and keep up your energy levels while studying. The Library Night Trolley provides free fruit and drinks to your desk. Catch the night trolley 9pm to late, Sundays to Thursday until late May.
The Library Café is open until 9pm and vending machines are available 24/7 with healthy options such as water, juice, cereal bars and nuts.
We are (of course!) aware of the power of a good book in aiding relaxation and reducing stress. Why not take a break and check out the leisure reading collection on the ground floor of the Kimberlin. The collection includes fiction titles across a mix of genres, classics, sci-fi, thrillers etc, with all books available for loan. Or, curl up on the comfy seating nearby with your chosen book.
De-stress with DSU. The library and your student union are offering a range of creative activities to help you unwind. Come along on Wednesdays 9th and 16th May between 5pm and 6pm. Second Floor of the Kimberlin Library, in room 2.04.
The DMU Chaplaincy has a “Breathing Space” open to students and staff of all religions and none where you can take a moment to pause and reflect in peace and quiet. The Breathing Space in Portland Building also hosts mindfulness sessions on Tuesdays at 11.30 for 40 minutes. Students can book via MyGateway.
Here are our top tips for looking after yourself
• Take regular short breaks from your studies and schedule in some downtime
• Eat well. Start your day with breakfast and avoid skipping meals.
• Don’t overdo the caffeine. Consider swapping sugary drinks for water or a diluted juice
• Make sure you get enough sleep and try to get some exercise and/or fresh air. Walk around the Campus or by the river. You never know what you might see: cormorants and otters are known to live by the River Soar!
• Avoid comparing with your mates. Everyone studies in different ways, so focus on what’s right for you. And steer clear of those exam ‘post-mortems’.
• Remember, you are not on your own. Ask for help and advice; talk to friends, family and DMU staff. The library staff are used to handling all types of query – no question is too trivial or “stupid”
• Stay calm and be positive – you can do it!
