We love to hear from everyone who makes use of library services to help us find ways to improve. Throughout the year we provide you with the opportunity to feedback to us. You may have taken part in some of our feedback activities last year. You may have written us a letter on Valentine’s Day, attended a Shape Our Library event or simply left us feedback via our feedback form.

Following on from the first part of this blog that looked at the improvements we’ve made to your digital library and physical resources, we’re taking a look at the improvements to the student support we provide.

New Learning Developer for Maths and Statistics

In response to your feedback, the Library has appointed a new Learning Developer for Maths and Statistics to help you build confidence and skills in these areas. From 2025/26, the Learning Skills Team will be working with course leaders to embed tailored mathematics support directly into your modules. You can also book 1:1 tutorials through the Learning Skills Hub with the Learning Developer available online or in person for individual guidance.

Improved booking for Academic English Language Support

We are please to welcome the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) team to the Library. This team are available to support you to improve your academic English skills and succeed in your course. The Learning Developers (EAP) will be working with course leaders to create bespoke English language support for your course. You can also book 1:1 tutorials with the Learning Developer (EAP), available online or in person via the Learning Skills Hub.

Updates to AI guidance

The Learning Skills Team have updated the AI guidance to include new information on the environmental impact of generative AI, helping you make informed and responsible choices when using these tools.

Do I need to use GenAi?

Getting help on the floors in Augustine House

We’ve improved the support available across the floors on Augustine House. You’ll find more staff roaming across the building ready to answer your questions, help you locate resources and provide support with the equipment available.

Based on student feedback we’ve added a QR code notification system available on the enquiry pods on each floor, so you now have the choice to speak to a member of staff using the phone or sending us a message via the QR code. A member of staff will then meet you at the pod to help. 

Sensory Room

Last year we opened a new sensory room in Augustine House. The sensory room is a space for students to reset between studying or social sessions. The space has been designed with neurodiverse people in mind with adjustable lighting, comfortable seating and a range of ways to control your sensory experience. You’ll find the sensory room on the ground floor of Augustine House in room AHg.03a.

You can find out more on the Library blog

StressLess

We’ve heard your positive feedback about StressLess and pleased to offer…… A space in Augustine House dedicated to supporting your wellbeing and mental health, providing you an opportunity to take a break from your studies and giving you the ability to spend some time with friends socially, alongside the chance to make new ones.

The Stressless zone can be found on the 2nd floor within the open area of the atrium. It gives you access to games, puzzles, crafts, books and more, all year round. Suggestions for new additions are always welcome.

Join us at an event

The Stressless events take place at least once a month 2pm till 5pm, on either a Tuesday or Thursday. Often themed, we provide a wide range of activities for you to enjoy. Located in the StressLess zone, you can spend 5 minutes or 3 hours engaging creatively, mentally, physically and socially, returning to your work refreshed.

Not always able to make it to Augustine House? Keep an eye out, we regularly join forces with other departments, across the university, holding collaborative events on the North Holmes Road Campus. Consider these a taster for our main events.

Become a StressLess Champion

Sound fun? Want to be more involved? Want to get creative and share skills? Want to help other students relax and take a break? Why not join the team as a Stressless Champion. An opportunity to volunteer through the Student Union platform. Develop inter-personal skills, teamwork, leadership skills and most importantly raise awareness for the importance of taking breaks, and looking after personal wellbeing.

Borrow StressLess resources for an event

Are you part of a student society or do you regularly participate within a university student group? Did you know that you can borrow the majority of our StressLess resources to use during these activities. Contact the team at library.canterbury@canterbury.ac.uk to find out what’s available.

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We hope you’ve enjoyed this look at the improvements to the support we provide. If you have not done so already please read the first part of this blog looking at the improvements made to the library physical and digital collections.

All images created by Library Services staff.