The Transformation of the Engineering Library: Changes at the University of Auckland, New Zealand
| Date | 30 October 2007 |
| Published date | 30 October 2007 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07419050710874269 |
| Pages | 32-37 |
| Author | Patsy Hulse |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
The Transformation of the Engineering Library:
Changes at the University of Auckland,
New Zealand
Patsy Hulse
32 LIBRARY HITECH NEWS Number 9/10 2007, pp. 32-37, #Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 0741-9058, DOI 10.1108/07419050710874269
Introduction
The Engineering Library, the
University of Auckland's latest state-
of-the-art and completely remodelled
subject-specific library (see Plate 1), is
proving extremely popular with its
users. This article describes the
successful design of a library building
to cope with new roles, new goals and
new futures. It looks at the planning and
implementation, provides illustrations
of innovative solutions and services,
and outlines the key drivers and
outcomes. It describes the
transformation of a late 1960s library
that was crowded, stuffy and lacking in
natural light, to a striking new learning
environment with many enhanced
services.
This redesigned and much expanded
Engineering Library was officially
opened on 24 November 2006 as part of
the celebrations marking the Faculty of
Engineering's centenary. The road to
the new Library had been long and
arduous, as is not unusual with building
projects, and it had required much
lobbying over many years before it was
firmly placed on the University's
building programming in April 2004.
Several versions of the plans were
prepared in consultation with
stakeholders and final approval was
granted in November 2004. The project
was completed in September 2006.
Justification for expansion
In 2004, student numbers clearly
exceeded the capacity of the current
premises. The Engineering Library had
been built in 1969 for 700 students and
was on a single floor with a small
mezzanine. A strategic decision by the
Faculty in subsequent years to
dramatically increase the student intake
resulted in 2,662 students by 2004, with
numbers projected to rise steadily to
3,000. This was indeed achieved by
2006 when the current number of
library seats was 211, a ratio of one seat
for every 12.6 students. The
recommended ratio is one seat for every
four to five students. The Rodski
Library Customer Satisfaction Survey
in October 2003 identified the need for
increased individual and group study
space and computer availability.
The Library shelves were already 97
percent full in 2004, reaching well over
100 percent by moving date. Despite an
excellent electronic collection, there
was a growth rate of 3,000 print
volumes per year. The special
collections, such as rare volumes,
microtexts and audiovisual material
needed appropriate accommodation and
convenient access.
The Engineering Library had no
adjacent teaching facilities. Two of the
four subject librarians were housed in
the staff workroom which was open to
the front desk, making it unsatisfactory
for giving research help or tutorials.
There were no audiovisual facilities for
viewing of library materials, no
meeting room and no hands-on
computer training facilities. There was
no disabilities resource room.
Group study facilities were
increasingly important to engineering
teaching but the Library did not have
the facilities to support this.
The existing security system to
protect the collection was scheduled for
replacement.
The Engineering Library building
suffered from deferred maintenance and
needed air conditioning, toilet facility
upgrades, perimeter lighting for
efficiency, CCTV improved security
Plate 1
Engineering Library from Symonds Street
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