A sincere thank you to all those who completed the survey in December 2025, focussing on their experience of using the library during the Autumn term. Overall, you reported a 94% satisfaction rate when using our services.
We are delighted with this result, and especially the free text comments that let us know how much you appreciate the library, particularly its staff, the support you've received and access to online resources.
- 94% of users thought that library staff were helpful and knowledgeable
- 90% of taught students said they’d been able to access the resources needed for modules
- 87% of users thought it was easy to access library support
- 82% of Postgraduate Researchers say they have been able to access the resources needed for their research
- 75% of users have found it easy to find a study space, up from 69% last year
However, we acknowledge that there is still work to be done and are grateful for all of you who left comments suggesting ways we can improve our services and spaces moving forward.
Below are some of the steps we have taken, and will be taking, to address your concerns.
You said, we did: responding to your survey feedback
The information you provide genuinely helps us improve our services for everyone at the University of Birmingham. We wanted to share with you how we are taking you feedback forward and initiatives that are taking place to better support your needs.
The Wolfson Room
You said the Wolfson space on the ground floor was looking tired and in need of attention.
- We have investigated what options are available and appropriate for updating the space by working with students and taking them to see other libraries that have recently been refurbished.
- We will be investing in improving this space over the coming year.
The Library Lounge and vending options
You told us that the vending machines often don’t work and the microwave is dirty. You’d also like access to hot and cold water.
- We’ve arranged a regular weekly clean for the microwaves as well as providing wipes to encourage users to clean any spills.
- We are looking at developing a new look and feel for the area with additional vending units including hot drinks, built in microwaves and a hot and cold-water tap. Work with our colleagues in the Estates Team and Campus Services is well underway.
Study spaces on campus
You said you’d like to be made aware of spaces of campus with more information about how to locate them.
- We will make regular comms (especially at peak times) to highlight the campus spaces.
- We will be conducting a review of the spaces in JG Smith to see how they are used and what improvements can be made.
Study Spaces in Main Library
You said you’d like more spaces and more group study rooms.
- We are reviewing our Media Suite space to ensure it provides the best use of the space we have available.
- We will extend our Main Library study space updates (Red/Amber/Green) during the exam period to cover more of the day.
Docking stations
You said you’d like to see more docking stations in the Main Library and on campus to use with your laptops.
- We conducted a review of PC and docking station usage in the Main Library, combining quantitative and qualitative data to see how they are used.
- We will change over more PCs at Main Library to docking stations but still keep PCs for those that like to use them.
- We will do more reviews in other campus study spaces to see where we can make similar adjustments.
The Postgraduate Research Suite
You said you wanted us to improve the usage and free up lockers in the suite for Postgraduate Researchers.
- We have cleared the lockers and given them a thorough clean.
- We have introduced new policies, and we will conduct ad hoc checks to make the use of the lockers fairer for all.
Access to Study Skills Support
You said you’d like more ways to access academic skills support.
- During term time, the Academic Skills Centre now run additional in-person drop-ins, plus an online one.
Digital formats
You said you’d like more options for library material to be available in digital formats.
- Our open shelf scanning service was a successful trial last year. All University of Birmingham students and staff can request the Library team to digitise chapters of books, or journal articles, on their behalf.
- This will now be a permanent service, and we’ve removed the cap for the requests per person, subject to copyright restrictions.
Canvas and digital tools
You told us you value digital accessibility features in your learning resources hosted in Canvas and other Digital Tools in the Digital Education Ecosystem.
- We have invested in Digital Accessibility plug-in software to Canvas, and from September 2025 all student and staff users now have the option to view all documents published in their Canvas courses via alternative formats, including: the ability to view in different formats, customisable tools for accessible reading, audio podcast conversions providing text to speech playback, as well as maths support conversions.
- We will continue to invest in further accessibility feature releases and collaborate with regular supplier reviews of their tool accessibility features.
Our thanks again for your feedback, and remember you can let us know your thoughts anytime via our online form.