The library feedback board, where library users were able to leave their suggestions and feedback anonymously

Taking inspiration from the tree of life architecture in our stunning library, Chemistry Librarian Clair Castle and Library Assistant Sara Wallace created a new approach to engage in dialogue with the chemistry community. The results have been a remarkable success.

Clair and Sara created a Feedback board--a whiteboard where all library users were able to leave their thoughts and feedback on their experience with the library anonymously and discreetly. Sara drew a tree on the board and students could write their suggestions on the leaves.

Sara notes: “We left black pens for the students to comment on, but we couldn’t respond in red pen – that’s too much like homework. We used blue instead.” Feedback included requests for more plug-in monitors for laptops and more beanbags, which were straightforward for Clair and Sara to implement.  Other feedback about the library space and environment required further thought.

Clair comments: “My idea was to try and engage a bit better with the library users and allow them to do it in an anonymous way.”

The board was taken down at the end of term, but there is also an online feedback board, where users can leave their comments anonymously, as well as a physical comments book in the library.

Wellbeing Collection

Separately, the library has a Wellbeing Books Collection, which is a suite of curated books which covers topics in mental health, research and study skills and inspirational titles. A mix of recommendations from the librarians and students are included in this collection. These are already being read and Clair and Sara want to make sure everyone in the department knows they are invited to read them.

Some great titles in the collection include :

• Not just for the boys, why we need more women in science, by Athene Donald
• Successful careers beyond the lab, by David J Bennett and Richard C Jennings
• How to survive your viva: Defending a thesis in an oral examination, by Rowena Murray

“We also have jigsaws,” says Clair, “They are very popular.”