The AV Language Library is closing

*****  ANNOUNCEMENT *****

The AV Language Library will close in December 2012 and its video, audio, and printed resources will in the future be made available to students and staff by other means and in other venues. This transition will happen during the period of the University close-down and in early January so that most users of the old facility will not be affected. We are confident that the new arrangements that will be in place after the transition will deliver more effective and efficient access to the Centre’s materials than is currently the case.

Please note the following with regard to this change:

1.     All 1400 video files will be uploaded onto Blackboard where students will be able to access them via any computer on campus. (At present they are accessible only through one of the computers in the language labs.) We will create an e-Community on Blackboard so that all University students will be able to access the video files throughout their candidature, regardless of whether they are enrolled in a language unit. The collection will be catalogued and all items will be easy to locate on the Blackboard site.

2.     All 2500 audio files will also be uploaded onto Blackboard for use in the same manner as the video files.

3.     The Centre’s collection of books—consisting of dictionaries, grammars, and other language-learning printed materials— will be selectively moved to the Fisher Library where they will be properly catalogued and fully integrated into the Library’s collection.

4.     Fisher Library has equipment which will provide a pleasant and effective learning environment for all students, including those undertaking language-learning. Apart from Access Centre and Library computers, the Library has collaborative spaces, two home theatres and 4 small sound booths. Two collaborative rooms and the four sound booths can be booked for use.

5.     The computer stations in the Self Study room in the Language Study Centre will continue to be available after the old facility closes.

We ask for your understanding and patience while this transition takes place. We anticipatethat by early December all video and audio files will have been uploaded onto Blackboard and available for use; the collection of books going to Fisher Library should be available by the commencement of first semester, 2013.

The School will keep everyone updated on the progress of the transition.

For further information please contact Drasko Mitrikeski, School Administration Manager, at drasko.mitrikeski @ sydney.edu.au or Michelle Liu, Librarian, at michelle.liu @ sydney.edu.au .