Resources for Learning
The Learning Centre is the resource base for our students. It offers 130 computers for individual study and houses the College Library with a further 119 study spaces and over 30,000 learning resources. Additionally, our students benefit from access to a stationery shop and a variety of specialist equipment to assist with the reproduction and presentation of work.
The Library
Working closely with curriculum areas, the Library offers a wide range of books, periodicals, newspapers, videos and DVDs to support the work of our students. Collections for special projects and resource lists are available together with a loan service from the British Library and access to the catalogues of other libraries. Infotrac, an online newspaper and magazine database, and other databases are also available through the StudyNet Library pages. There are eight search stations for on-line searching and three OPACs on which users can search the Library database.
IT Open Access Area
All the computers in the Centre are installed with industry standard software, including Microsoft Office 2000, Corel Draw 10, Dreamweaver and a variety of subject specific packages. There is a fast internet connection (filtered for protection) and full access to the College's Curriculum Intranet resources. Students have access to black and white and colour laser printers, scanners and, by special arrangement, access to laptops, projectors and digital cameras. Each student has an individual user account enabling coursework to be saved to our network and through this account the College’s intranet resources can be accessed from home.
Helping our students
At the reception desk students can ask for assistance with either software or hardware issues or to gain advice on coursework tasks and suitable resources. There is also a help desk located in the library area for specialist enquiries.
The Learning Centre Shop
The reception desk also stocks a wide range of stationery, disks and CDs which students can purchase at cost price. The full range can be seen on the notice board in the Centre or by clicking on the IT Services page on the College intranet.
Staffing
Various specialist teams of staff work in the Centre. Library staff combine with IT specialists to ensure students gain an integrated approach to resource based learning.
Opening Times
Service in the Centre is available from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday in term time. The resources can be accessed in holiday times between 9.00am to 4.00pm, but users are advised to check network availability by telephoning main reception on the day in question. The Centre is closed to students on INSET days, but exceptions will be made for exam candidates.
