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The author, appointed University Librarian in 1999, saw that the library was not fulfilling its potential from the perspectives of congenial environment and student awareness. She used student marketing projects to examine perceptions of the Patrick Power Library, and develop ways of raising its profile within the university community. The tired‐looking building, a product of the 1970s, undermined the quality of staff and services. She used the information gathered through the projects to enhance services as well as make the library a more welcoming and vibrant space to attract students, without a major infusion of funds. This article charts the development of the library over a two‐year period.

This paper aims to give an overview of the Academic Research Library Group Study Conference hosted by the University of Sussex, in Brighton from the 23rd-25th of June 2014.

A narrative approach was used to describe events.

This was an exciting and action-packed conference that discussed topics surrounding the future of academic libraries. There were several networking opportunities, workshops and an exhibition of sponsors.

This report outlines the events of the conference and looks at the themes and issues surrounding the future of research libraries.

21st-century libraries are a community hub, providing entertainment, learning, information sharing and idea incubation. A place for all, they can be a locus for activism and the civil society. In an era when UK public libraries are under threat, the interwoven stories of Ambridge promote those values. In the Big Society, volunteers were to fill the roles of library professionals. Ambridge too has its many volunteers yet recognises the rightful place of trained professionals.

Upcycling was introduced in The Archers by Fallon Rogers, who created a business from selling furniture she had upcycled. The author cites other examples from Archers episodes: Bert Fry’s egg mobile was originally an old caravan. Eddie Grundy built Lynda Snell’s shepherd’s hut from farmyard scrap. Josh Archer expanded his online farm equipment sales to include old items refurbished and sold for profit. Definitions of upcycling imply that the original item has become worthless. The author, however, includes examples of nostalgic value placed on relics of a bygone age and suggests a dichotomy between the values of older versus younger Ambridge residents. Upcycling can also be viewed in a metaphorical sense: Lilian Bellamy, for example, regularly upcycled herself with cosmetic assistance. The most sinister example is that of Rob Titchener, who used coercive control to upcycle Helen (then) Titchener into the image he wanted. The author concludes that while motives may take several forms, it is Fallon Rogers who consistently uses both creativity and business sense in her upcycling endeavours.

To provide theoretical and practical perspectives on the “library as space” debate as well as an update of an earlier (2002) New Library World article on one university library's attempt to re‐position itself through physical change.

The first part examines the need to fashion academic libraries as desirable destinations for students in the face of the 24/7 availability of both library and non‐library electronic sources of information. The second part provides an account of some of the latest initiatives undertaken by the library at Saint Mary's University, an urban, primarily undergraduate university of 8,000 students on Canada's east coast.

The critical importance of providing a comfortable and stimulating environment for students and the rewards for doing so are confirmed, with reference to various Canadian and US schools. Some of the almost‐universal characteristics of today's students are identified within the context of the changing nature of academic research and communication.

It offers advice and insights to libraries striving to strengthen their place within the academic life and social environment of the university. It also provides arguments for and encouragement to those attempting to implement innovative changes to either library space or library policies.

Brings together many of the ideas and experiences of disparate academic libraries facing similar challenges.