On Monday, February 16th UCT officially launched the Library Learning Lounge (LLL) located in the Snape Building, which recently underwent reconstruction. The LLL is an extension of the university’s main library, the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, and serves as a learning space for students from all faculties and years of study while additionally promoting digital learning.

The LLL is equipped with seating areas, plug points and access to Wi-Fi and is specifically designed to meet the study needs of students.  According to Marilyn Wilford, from UCT Libraries Undergraduate User Services, the management aims to promote the movement towards a more virtual environment, where students can use their own digital devices for academic purposes. The new library space is intended to lessen the strain placed on the main library and to offer a more convenient venue for students who are based on the south side of campus.

Dr Reggie Raju, the Deputy Director of Client Services at UCT Libraries, explained that the LLL will have at least two librarians on hand to assist students and will serve as a “collaborative space that bridges the gap between the student and the library.” He added that the LLL supports the movement towards co-operative learning, where facilitation is promoted as opposed to one-dimensional learning. 

There are no printed materials at the LLL, although the librarians are available to help with navigation of digital devices for academic and library related tasks. The LLL also provides group discussion rooms that are equipped with collaborative computing, electronic whiteboards, and other technologies, and these can be booked by students.

Tiffany Hager, a second year Organisational Psychology student, commented that the LLL is “peaceful and secluded” and that it is more convenient to access since it is closer to her classes.  She also noted that there is more space to work than in the main library. 

Other students making use of the LLL echoed Tiffany’s views.  In addition, Leah Benkenstein, a fourth year Quantity Surveying student, mentioned that the space is better for personal laptop usage and enables her to avoid the stress of finding an available computer to complete her work.

Despite the generally positive response towards the LLL, many students are not aware of the available facilities.  Victor Hlatshwayo, a third year Mechatronics student, and Preylin Naidu, a first year studying Computer Electrical Engineering, stated that they had heard about the LLL but were unsure about what it entailed.  Victor commented that he had not yet seen the new area and “did not know that the space was any different from the main library”. 

According to Dr. Raju and Marilyn Wilford, the Library Learning Lounge is a pilot project for the UCT Libraries and they plan, at a later stage, to assess whether a collaborative learning environment will work effectively at UCT. They mentioned that UCT needs more spaces such as the LLL to meet the demands of the students and accommodate a digitally based way of learning. They urged students to make use of the facilities to enhance their learning experience.

The Library Learning Lounge is open on weekdays from 08h00 to 17h00 and a student card is required to enter the premises.

Article by Pieter Du Plessis.

This article was originally published in Varisty: UCT's Official Student Newspaper.