Hello Sandra

We also had negative feedback in relation to Geospatial data when we swapped from Digimap, but the students who used it after more training (via JISC) are now a bit happier with it but would have Digimap back…as long as the department didn’t have to pay for it!

 

Your second point is of great interest to me as I have been pondering similar issues – as institutional access to resources become more expensive we have over time had to limit to individual schools and courses (where the resource was very specialist). In order for resources to be used we know that the academics staff need to promote it;  if they don’t use it themselves - they don’t promote it. So although it can feel quite comfortable and safe to be the gatekeepers of the resource, in the long run it leads to the resource becoming irrelevant if only Library staff understand it. So, when we induct new staff we train them on their specific resources and we make it clear they should be teaching their students how to make best use of them… but as we know some will, but many won’t. We never turn away individual students who come for resource support – but I have been known to find out who the connected tutors are and offer training. I say no to academics who ask Librarians into class to show students a resource too – we don’t have the staff levels to do this.

 

Would be very interested to hear of other approaches.

 

 

 

Sam Goldsmith

HE & Research Librarian

UC Library

University Centre Leeds

Park Lane

LS3 1AA

X4697

01132354697