DCU Library shortlisted for Times Higher Education award

Dublin City University has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Library Team category in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024, joining Cardiff University, Newcastle University, the University of Chester, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Nottingham in the final six. 

The DCU Library Team have been shortlisted for their ‘Walls into Walkways’ Leaving Cert Supports programme, which provides free access to library study spaces on two campuses for Leaving Certificate students. Although access for Leaving Certificate students had been facilitated on an informal basis, DCU Library, following the return to in person activities after the COVID pandemic, saw the need and value in offering and broadening out the scheme to local secondary schools. 

The scheme restarted with a formalised pilot in 2022 with a large percentage of the spaces reserved for students coming from DEIS schools. In 2023, the service was mainstreamed, and saw a huge jump in take up from 790 to 1,651 registered students from over 100 secondary schools thanks to the awareness-raising efforts of DCU Library’s dedicated engagement team.

Drawing on an initial idea and the expertise of DCU author-in Residence Dave Rudden, DCU Library also provided master classes in English and Irish for Leaving Cert students. These classes were extremely popular, with over 200 students from over 80 schools attending in 2023. 

Speaking about the programme, University Librarian and Director of Library Services John McDonough said:

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for this award. DCU Library places a strong emphasis on our role in the local community and the success of this scheme is testament to the work of all our staff, in particular our Public Services and Outreach & Engagement teams in creating a positive, welcoming and productive experience for students. We look forward to running these schemes again in 2025.”

Orla Nic Aodha, Associate Director for Public Services & Outreach said:

“We are dedicated to our outreach programme with secondary school students here in DCU Library and see it as such a positive way of widening access and pathways to third level for local students. Being on campus to study and to meet each other in a social context before they arrive themselves as students breaks down barriers for them. We are thrilled to be shortlisted.”

The winner of the 2024 Times Higher Education Awards will be announced on 28 November at a ceremony in Birmingham.