The Learning Curve

The Learning Curve  is situated in the new college building on Church Street.  Our main presence in on the ground and first floors, with lower and upper balconies on the second and third floors providing further study space with computer access and comfortable seating .  There are also Learner Bases at the Barugh Green Site, Construction Centre, Eastgate, SciTech, Sports Centre and Wigfield Farm.

All college students are welcome to use the resources in The Learning Curve. Please remember to bring your student card in order to access the building and to be able to borrow resources. LD Staff are on hand to help you use the various resources.
Please check for opening times. Brief details of the services are given below:

Learning Materials
The LC provides access to many types of learning materials, including books, DVDs, CDs, e-book readers, newspapers and journals, computers and netbooks. Alongside this traditional library stock there is access to electronic information resources such as Online Full Text Newspapers, electronic books, Encyclopaedia Britannica etc.

Catalogue
The LC provides dedicated access to the computerised catalogue. This lists all resources that can be used by students and gives details of where items are located and loan status (eg if item is available or out on loan). Students can reserve items shown as “on loan” on the catalogue by asking a member of staff to reserve the item at the issue counter.

Inter-library loans
Materials not held in the LC can be obtained through an inter-library loan service. Please ask staff for details.

Computers
You can book in advance or just drop in to use the computers. There is also a bank of netbooks at each site that are available for use in LC on production of your student card. There are several Microsoft packages available including Word, Excel, Access and Publisher plus access to text and image scanners.

Internet
All networked computers have Internet access. You should refer to the Internet User Policy and Code of Practice (located in the LC) prior to using the Internet. Any breach of this policy is regarded as a serious disciplinary matter.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
Access to the VLE is provided on computers with Internet access. The LC presence on Moodle (our VLE) provides access to information about The Learning Curve facilities and services, links to electronic resources, user education leaflets (eg how to use electronic resources such as Online Newspapers) and links to web tutorials and guides on how to search the web using search engines and subject gateways.

Photocopies
There are photocopiers/printers on each of the LC floors and balconies.

Binding/Laminating Services
Projects and assignments can be bound or laminated at a reasonable cost at any of the LC cournters.


Contact details:
The Learning Curve: 01226 216334/450