This morning we had to pack our suitcases, check out from our flat, and come up to the University one last time. It is with mixed feelings that we have to say goodbye today. We are looking forward to our visit to Oxford for two evenings, and the full day visit at the Oxford Libraries tomorrow, but we are also very sad to leave Bath. This afternoon we will have to say goodbye to colleagues on this side who has put in a lot of effort in scheduling meetings for us, being very kind and friendly all the way. Thank you specifically to Kara Jones, who acted somewhat as our host. She drove us around when we had to visit other campuses, she scheduled and rescheduled all our meetings, and so many other things to make us feel at home. Thank you Kara, we really appreciated your time and kindness . Yesterday we sat in on "Research Data drop-in sessions" which Cathy Pink handled in the Postgraduate Commons area (elsewhere on campus). They moved these sessions to the Postgraduate Commons

The visit to Bath Spa University yesterday was very interesting. It is a total different type of campus than University of Bath, more rural, old buildings, a really very beautiful and small campus. The Library is also very small, but they have brand new Learning Commons in another building, which is very vibrant and offers huge group and individual working space. We had a tour of the Library and the Learning Commons, discussions on some of their research services, a wonderful lunch in their lovely old main building. They are more focused on Arts and Social Sciences departments and therefore quite specialised in things like Music, Drama, Literature, Writing courses, etc. Herewith some pictures of the visit: The main building Lakes on the campus Walking from the one building to the other... The Main building from the back Library self-check-out units Very vibrant Learning Commons, food and drinks allowed in Foyer area Cafe next to Foyer area

Today it feels as if the holiday is over (3 days really felt like a long holiday in and around Bath). We have lots to report on from our meetings on Friday, but today is quite full with a visit to the Bath Spa University and two other meetings this afternoon. Therefore I will only post a few pictures of Bath for now... Lots of parks and green in Bath Holburn museum

This morning we had a meeting with staff members of the Research Office. It was great to have a whole hour and half talk with them, all around the use of Pure, Pure Portal and Research Impact, etc. Their definition of research impact is a bit different than ours. Here it is about social and economic impact and nothing to do with academic impact / bibliometrics. They have to report (REF reporting every 6 years) on the social and economic impact of their research. The Library and the Research Office collaborate on many aspects and they have an excellent relationship with each other. Yesterday I had time to walk a bit through the Campus and the Library and take some pictures. Herewith a few of the campus and it's parks, it's beautiful on a sunny day! The next few photographs is from outside and inside the Library: Entrance of library Screen indicating free PC's on all levels Brochures and pamphlets on Library services IT help desk in

It was very interesting to read this article this morning in the Bath Chronicle. They are planting plants in the potholes! This photograph unfortunately does not show the whole article. It is a very funny way to attract attention to the problem! 

The third day at Bath University Library started off with a general staff meeting. The meeting took place in their technical services area. Kate Robinson, the University Librarian, talked through a few issues in 30 minutes. All very informal and interactive. It was interesting to hear that they also just completed a LibQUAL survey. We will attend a Library Consultative Group meeting on Friday where the results will be discussed. The rest of the morning went to the presentations we had to do. About 20-30 staff members from the Library and elsewhere attended. Stellenbosch University asked us to do a presentation about the University itself. We used a few sources for this: a presentation the International Office sent us (we could only use a few slides from this as it was actually meant for a specific meeting and not all applicable for such a presentation); a Facts and Figures slideshow we found on the SU webpage and  Alvina also included an introduction to the Faculty of Medicine and He

And it's cold today - about 8 degrees.... My warmest jacket did not do the thing today... See this article about the snow in Scotland and North England. http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/608272/uk-weather-forecast-updates-news-snow-maps "Heavy wintry showers – and even snow, hail and thunder – are likely across the UK on Tuesday and Wednesday."