Colour in Cafe

The Colour in Cafe has evolved over the period of our 2025 vision. The idea was created as staff were concerned about the long hours some students were spending in the Library studying. The intention being to encourage users to take a break from study and focus on something different for a short time and talk to others.

Initially there was “take a break” where tea and coffee were offered to users with an opportunity to talk to Library staff. This was followed by “Fuel your Focus” where in addition to refreshments and a chat user were encouraged to at look something from the natural world, moss, stones and leaves using a loupe. A loupe magnifies things so you can see the finer details of items.

This was followed by the current version of the “Colour in Cafe” which runs every Wednesday evening during term time (and some vacations) from 6pm to 7pm. A large poster is coloured in by users over the term revealing itself over time as shown in this time-lapse image. In the 2023 /24 academic year 1616 drinks were served with the end of Michaelmas term and the exam times being the busiest. This is a chance for staff to talk to students about any concerns they may have. We can help resolve them or signpost to those who can across campus.

The completed posters are displayed in the Library near the Living wall on A floor.

Family Room

In 2024 the Library opened a family study space for our users who want to come to the Library to study with their children.

The room was developed with Alumni funding and helped extend our provision for families who previously used our children corner overlooking Alex square. The space was created with user feedback and the support of the University Preschool. Giving a space for library users to study whilst their children play, read or do homework.

We have a range of toys and books for children up to the age of 12. To encourage children to read we have also facilitated the borrowing of these books and those in the children's corner.

The space has been very popular with the university community with some great feedback such as “Excellent space - great sets of toys, activities and books available in the room”.

Feel Good Hub

Over the period of the Library vision, concerns about mental health and wellbeing have risen. It was therefore decided to further promote the resources that the library had relating to this.

We already had a selection of books within our leisure reading collection. The library as a whole has many books related to wellbeing. Some of these have been brought together to create the feel-good hub. An area where people learn about the wellbeing services on campus, self-help books and mental health conditions.

Whilst studying it is important to have a work-life balance so there are also books on leisure activities such as crafts, photography, local walks and cookery. Recently, we have added a jigsaw to the space so students in the Library can take a break away from their studies for a short time and focus on something different.

Living Library

The library has hosted the Living Library in 2024. A living library is one where the books are people who have chosen to share their lived experiences with others. The focus of these Living library's was wellbeing and mental Health challenges. Books were available to share their lived experience on a range of mental health conditions. This included titles such as “perhaps I am autistic?” “An Inner pressure cooker” “Unexpected anxiety”. The aim is to support wellbeing and to encourage to people to learn and talk about common mental Health issues. The books could be “read” by those who wanted to know about a condition they have or those interested to find out more to help others or expand their knowledge. This was open to both students and members of the public.

You can find out more about the Lancaster University Living Library

We hope to host the living library again in the future

Music in the Library

The library has a range of events which you would not expect in the Library, music being one.

We have hosted a range of music events from the University staff to choir to a group of library staff singing. Our Library director Andrew Barker has spun some discs during intro week for students.

More recently performers Benson Wilson and Gao Hong played in the Library before more formal performances in the University's Great Hall arranged by Lancaster Arts.

Wellbeing Events

Over the years of the Library vision we have supported our user in a range of ways. Having events in the Library to support our users wellbeing and to make them feel comfortable in the library space. Recognising that users need to take a break from their studies.

As opportunities have presented themselves to promote user wellbeing we have been keen to take them up. Here are a few:-

• Breakfast were served in the lent term of 2024 with the help of University funding coast of living funding
• Taiji & Qugong in 2022
• Yoga
• Stories around the tree. The preschool have come to listen to stories around the Library tree on numerous occasions
• Wellbeing drop-in's from the university Student Educational Services
• A range of career events
• Crafting events Including the Lancaster Sewing Cafe, Christmas crafting with students and staff, and the newly launched stich club on Thursday evening during term
• Book displays on a range of recognition and awareness days from Lunar new Year, Black History month, Pride month, Gypsy Traveller
• Games evenings. In 2024 the library purchased board games as part of an English course. These games are open to all use in the Library
• Comic workshops