14 October 2010

Rector Brian Cox to open student 'Infozone'

Photo opportunity - 10.30am, Friday October 15th, University Library and Learning Centre, Small's Wynd.

Actor Brian Cox, Rector of the University of Dundee, will open a new 'InfoZone' for students in the University’s Library and Learning Centre tomorrow, Friday October 15th.

Over the summer the Library and Learning Centre completed a £440,000 project to implement self-service technologies at each of their libraries. The new system will make things much quicker and easier for students and staff.

Complementing the new machines is an InfoZone, which is a colourful, open, collaborative space with comfortable seating, where staff can help with any questions. More complex enquiries will be referred to Subject Librarians, who can work with students in the Zone. Large touchscreen monitors have been installed to make it easy for staff to demonstrate how resources are accessed online.

'Investing in self-service technologies provides an efficient system that allows us to maintain our library opening times and further sustain other key services,' said Dr Richard Parsons, Director of the Library and Learning Centre.

'As students and staff learn to use the systems they will discover the benefits such as 24-hour return, reduced queuing at busy times and the ability to issue almost all library items from 8 am to midnight.'

Brian Cox will be at the Main Library, in Smalls Wynd, at 10.30 am tomorrow to open the new facility.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902