As well as normal study places, we have 380 desks equipped with PCs and other computer workstations accessing the campus network. The Issue Desk is led by The Customer Support Librarian as line manager, a Senior Library Assistant and four full time library assistants. During semesters, there are two more staff who work a full week, and one job-share which makes a further four staff working at the Issue Desk. Fifteen more staff cover the evening and weekend periods while the desk is open, but do not work semesters, when the staff is reduced to the four full-time staff and the two senior staff. These are limited to a three hour loan period.
Smaller teams work on the registration of users, and the administration related to serious overdues.
In 1996 a Staff Development Policy was drawn up within the library which led the way for a number of initiatives created to further staff development for the library assistant. Some areas of the Policy were more difficult to implement than others. Participation in activities of general relevance is expected of all staff, unless to do so would reduce the Library service to an unacceptable low level. The Issue Desk staff, half of whom are part-time staff, were also very much affected by the difficulties of being released for staff development while the Issue Desk was busy. There had been increasing concern at all levels of library staff that communication between departments within the library was poor and needed addressing urgently.