The Library and Learning Commons is at the heart of a vibrant, engaging, and exciting experience at Langara. Students continue to visit the physical space and interact with staff in record numbers. The Library strives to keep improving its physical and virtual spaces to best meet the academic needs and habits of library users.
Just the Numbers
| 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | ||||
| Gate Count | 788,209 | 738,722 | N/A | |||
| Days Open | 305 | 287 | 259 | |||
| Average Visitors / Day | 2,584 | 2,573 | N/A | |||
| Average Open Hours/ Week (Sep - Apr) | 76 | 76 | 50 | |||
| Seating Capacity | 941 | 941 | 941 | |||
| Number of Workstations | 141 | 141 | 141 | |||
While much of the College shifted to remote work this past year, the Library's Borrower Services staff remained on campus throughout the pandemic to provide access to our physical collection in a way that maintained proper health protocols. Borrower Services staff also accepted scanning requests for book chapters in the Library while abiding by Canadian copyright and fair use guidelines. Borrower Services fulfilled close to 2,000 pickup and scanning requests in 2020-21.
Connecting with Students Online
Although the Library's Research Help Desk was closed throughout 2020-21, students with in-depth research questions, or simply those who prefer to discuss their research “face to face,” were able to book Zoom appointments with their subject librarians. Booking these meetings was simplified through the addition of a “Schedule an Online Appointment” button on librarians’ profile pages. Librarians had 641 one-on-one consultations with patrons this year, the highest annual total in the Library's history.
Langara’s first ever Long Night Against Procrastination (LNAP) was held virtually on Zoom on March 25th, 2021.
Peer tutors, research librarians, and faculty helped students with writing assignments and studying, and attendees could join breakout rooms for games and other relaxation activities to provide an energy boost. In addition to hourly prizes that included tuition vouchers, DoorDash gift cards were offered as door prizes to welcome the attendees.
28 faculty, staff, peer tutors, and student volunteers assisted the 85 attendees that participated in the event. Over 81% of respondents to the post-event survey found the experience useful in helping them prepare for assignments and/or de-stress.
In response to the successful inaugural event, additional LNAPs have been scheduled in 2021-22.
De-Stress Fest is a tradition at the Library. During exam time, the Library transforms its space into a fun and relaxing environment for students to unwind and have some fun while they cram for their final exams. In the past, the Library has hosted therapy dogs, massages from Langara's RMT students, colouring lounges, yoga, and much more in the Library lobby. With COVID-19, a physical De-Stress Fest was not possible this year. However, the Library participated in a virtual De-Stress Fest with a De-Stress Fest by curating some of the best online resources from the library collection and around Langara to help students stay calm, healthy and ready for success on your exams.