{"id":168,"date":"2024-04-29T10:07:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T09:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/?p=168"},"modified":"2024-04-29T10:08:09","modified_gmt":"2024-04-29T09:08:09","slug":"igniting-innovation-the-library-spark-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2024\/04\/29\/igniting-innovation-the-library-spark-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Igniting Innovation - The Library Spark Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
A packed audience watch the finalists present their ideas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the 20th of March, I had the distinct pleasure of serving as a judge for the inaugural Library Spark competition. This unique contest, hosted by the Library, challenged students to propose innovative services they wished to see implemented within the Library. This was an exciting competition with a first prize of \u00a31,000 funded by a grant from the Student Experience Development Fund.<\/p>\n

From an impressive pool of 60 entries, six finalists were shortlisted by teams of Library staff.\u00a0 Finalists were all able to meet with a Library mentor before the competition event where they gave a five minute presentation on their ideas, to an audience of Library staff, colleagues, friends, and the judging panel: myself, Kate Robinson (University Librarian), Jimena Alamo (SU President), and Matthew Wickens (Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Civil Engineering).<\/p>\n

The presentations were a testament to the creativity and innovation that thrives among the students at the University of Bath. Each idea was well-conceived and eloquently presented, reflecting the considerable time and effort each participant had invested in preparation for the final. The challenge for us judges was not in finding a worthy winner, but in having to choose only one.<\/p>\n

The presentations kicked off with an introduction by Kate Robinson. The first team, comprising Nick Bircher, Mizuki Asai, and Aman Taher, identified a lack of soundproofed spaces on campus for formal online interviews. They proposed the creation of bookable, sound-proofed rooms within the Library. Luke Gruppo followed with his idea for a Library Occupancy Tracking App, which would allow students to gauge the Library\u2019s busyness before entering the building. Edmund Dadge suggested enhancing the Library\u2019s study environment by incorporating green walls and transforming the front glass corridor into a greenhouse. Abigail Hefferan addressed the campus-wide shortage of creative making spaces by proposing a cross-faculty Makerspace within the Library. Her co-entrant, Horatio Hamkins, was unable to attend due to a placement in New York. Will Lewis highlighted the difficulty in staying informed about ongoing research projects within the University and suggested a rotating display area in the Library foyer to promote awareness and idea-sharing. Lastly, Emily Togut Cole presented her vision for a \u2018Library Lawn\u2019, a reservable outdoor study space equipped with power outlets and a water station, aimed at boosting student wellbeing and diversifying study space options.<\/p>\n

Choosing a winner was no easy task. Each judge had their favourites, and the decision was challenging. However, we unanimously agreed that Emily\u2019s concept of an outdoor study space was the winning idea. Her proposal to transform an underutilized space at the rear of the Library into a natural study environment would not only enhance student wellbeing but also expand study space options on campus. Library staff are now working with key stakeholders to bring the ideas to implementation.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Our Library Spark winner, Emily, receives her certificate from the judges (left to right: Cassie Wilson (PVC Student Experience), Jimena Alamo (SU President), Emily Togut Cole, Kate Robinson (University Librarian), Matthew Wickens (Senior Lecturer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While there could be only one winner, the quality of all the entries was truly impressive. Serving as a judge was undoubtedly the highlight of my week, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The Library Spark competition was a shining example of the innovative spirit of our students, and I look forward to seeing these ideas come to life. I would like to thank the Library team of Hilary Cooksley, Amelia Jedynak, Sarah Ormes and David Stacey who organised and managed such a successful event.<\/p>\n

Colleagues and students can contact me at\u00a0pro-vc-se@bath.ac.uk<\/a>\u00a0to ask questions, or request future topics you'd like to hear about on the blog.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On the 20th of March, I had the distinct pleasure of serving as a judge for the inaugural Library Spark competition. This unique contest, hosted by the Library, challenged students to propose innovative services they wished to see implemented within...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1669,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[22,13,29,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-community","category-engagement","category-library","category-student-voice"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":145,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2024\/02\/28\/visiting-the-library-new-services-and-hidden-gems\/","url_meta":{"origin":168,"position":0},"title":"Visiting the Library: new services and hidden gems","author":"Cassie Wilson","date":"28 February 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Towards the end of 2023, I visited the University Library with the SU Sabbatical Officers. 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