The Library is an intrinsic part of University life. In supporting all members of the University community (students, staff and alumni), the Library understands the challenges and stresses of the academic environment and how they can impact on mental health and wellbeing. As such, the Library not only provides support through resources, information and facilities, but also through connection and community too.
Whilst Libraries are stereotypically known for ‘shushing,’ our Library really likes to talk! So on #UniMentalHealthDay, we’d like to remind you of all the people at the Library that you can talk to…
Talk to an Academic Support Librarian: They support staff and students by providing expert advice on: Library resources, research for assignments, projects and theses, reading lists, specialist databases and finding scholarly information including journal articles and papers. Their contact details are found on the Academic Support Librarian homepage.
Talk to the Library community: Connect with your peers and the supportive Community Engagement team at Library events and workshops. There is something for everyone including: wellbeing sessions, mindfulness classes, cultural celebrations and facilitated work sessions. You can get creative, relax and have fun with the Library’s Study Happy programme, or attend Postgrad specific events such as Research Refresh or Pint and PhD.
The majority of activities for students currently take place virtually within the Library Online Lounge, so are accessible from home. Check out the What’s on Calendar. There are also events for the teaching community.
Talk to people at the Human Library: The Library is hosting its second online Human Library event this Thursday between 1 and 2:30pm. The Human Library gives you the opportunity to engage in open, honest, and respectful conversations with Human Books who are staff and students here at Warwick. Book titles cover a range of topics such as mental health, disability, LGBTUA+, social status and ethnicity. Visit our website for more information and to read a book sign up here.
Talk to our student collaborators: Because sometimes talking to your peers feels easier.
Library Associates are student volunteers who represent the student community whilst working with the Library. They can be contacted online to feedback your views and make real changes.
Talk to our Library Disability Support Officer: who offers personalised guidance around how the Library can best support your individual needs. We also have our Accessible Study Rooms available to for disabled students to book and a wide range of assistive software for all.
The Library is listening
The Library is continually adapting to circumstances and feedback, as well as implementing new and improved services. During the Covid pandemic, things have been even more challenging than usual, but we’re pleased to have been able to provide the following services in response to what you’ve told us, and to help ease the mental load and make University life easier (information below was correct on 03/03/21):
- e-resources: Improvements to the number of e-resources available have been made, along with help to access them
- Extended loan period and invoked a fines amnesty: This was implemented given the challenges with book returns for people who cannot travel to campus.
- Free postal loans: All current Warwick staff and students in the UK can use this free service, along with our freepost returns service
- Scan&Deliver: Request an individual scanned copy of one chapter (or 5%) of a monograph, or one article per issue of a journal from the Library’s collections subject to copyright permissions
- Proxy Borrowing: This service allows another student at Warwick to borrow/collect books on your behalf at the Helpdesk
- Study spaces: We know that for some it is essential to access study space on campus. For those without a desk or wifi at home, or for those in need of space that supports wellbeing and mental health, and for those in need of accessible rooms, the Library has provided a variety of spaces.
