As you may already have heard from the University, the Stafford library is being moved into a new and improved Octagon Building. For full details please check your student email account for a message from the Vice Chancellor Michael Gunn.
The initial reaction from students appears to be a negative one, with students worried that it will make things worse rather than better. That's why I would just like to take five minutes of your time to tell you why this is actually a really good idea.
Moving the library into the Octagon is better because:
• It is a major investment in the Stafford campus, with improvements being made to the facilities which should help students produce better work.
• The library will be in a much more central location rather than being tucked away at the back. Students will be able to travel between lectures and the library much easier.
• The central location means students studying out of hours will be in a less isolated location on campus.
• Bringing together the library and IT support services into one location for students.
As an officer team we have known about this plan for some time now and have worked with the University to make sure the end result was the best for the University and for the students.
Unfortunately due any commercial activitiy regarding the disposal of the Nelson building we've been unable to discuss this more widely before the sale was publicised.
Rest assured our involvement has ensured that the move would not take place during assignments and exams at the end of the year, that the plans have much more of a student, rather than staff, focus, and we are now working with the University to secure longer periods of access to the specialist facilities currently available in the Octagon building to coincide with the library's opening times in the future.
As it is in its early stages, any ideas you might have for the layout of the Octagon concourse, or what you would like to see introduced, would be really helpful when we're involved in more advanced discussions about the Octagon development.
Finally I would just like to reassure you all that a sale of a building on the Stafford campus has no bearing on the future of the campus. The University's Board of Governors, of which I am one, are discussing the future of the Stafford campus in January and no decision is being made before that. If you hear any rumours, we would be happy to quash them for you if we can.
Once again if you have any questions or concerns in this area, please come and talk to me or one of the officer team. We will always tell you what we can as we lead a transparent and accountable membership organisation, and we value members like you very much.
Any questions please email: kris.winpenny@staffs.ac.uk.