How do mechanical engineering students view university libraries?
Positively overall, and especially on library-specific measures: in the National Student Survey (NSS) category for the library, student comments trend 65.0% Positive, 33.1% Negative and 1.8% Neutral (sentiment index +30.1). Within mechanical engineering, the subject grouping used for UK comparisons, library-related remarks sit on a strong +33.4 tone. These sector patterns shape this story: engineering students value reliable access, discipline-specific software and spaces that enable project work, while friction typically stems from constrained access, remote platform reliability and crowded study environments.
Libraries are more than buildings; they operate as hubs that complement the demands of an intensive programme. Quiet study areas, specialised software and targeted resources support modelling and design. When library teams analyse survey comments and act on them, they align provision with engineering workflows and study rhythms, including the shift toward digital and remote learning.
What facilities and resources matter most to mechanical engineers?
Breadth and currency of technical books, e-books, dedicated machines and specialist software underpin design and modelling. Study spaces that support individual concentration and project sprints, plus subject-specific guides, help students navigate complex tasks efficiently. The strongest experiences integrate physical and digital resources into a coherent journey, with staff curating relevance and removing access friction. This aligns with the consistently positive tone students give to library support in mechanical engineering.
How does access shape study habits?
Round-the-clock entry and dependable availability determine whether students can complete extended CAD, simulation and write-up sessions. During restrictions, reduced hours and limited access to specialist rooms created barriers. Providers that align opening patterns and authentication routes with intensive project cycles, and that make out-of-hours support visible for part-time and mature learners, reduce pinch points and improve outcomes.
Which mechanical engineering resources should libraries prioritise?
CAD workstations, high-spec PCs, up-to-date licences, and making spaces for prototyping are central to teaching and assessment. Regular software updates and reliable booking systems sustain momentum on group projects and individual capstone work. Where libraries maintain these core assets and keep them industry-relevant, project quality and student satisfaction rise.
How does the library shape the wider university experience?
As hybrid modes become routine, the library anchors both on-campus and online study. It provides quiet zones for deep work and bookable rooms that enable peer learning and group design reviews. By co-locating digital tools with knowledgeable staff, libraries help students connect taught theory with applied practice.
What must remote access deliver for mechanical engineers?
Robust off-campus access to e-books, journals, standards and large files, plus seamless routes to specialised software, is essential. The Digital Learning Environment must handle heavy datasets, remote labs and versioned materials without lag. Students expect reliable authentication, predictable maintenance windows and support that quickly resolves issues hindering coursework or project deadlines.
Which library services make the biggest difference?
Targeted guidance on databases, patents and standards, plus tutorials for software such as AutoCAD and MATLAB, accelerates progress. Skilled staff who can translate assessment briefs into search strategies and resource plans add tangible value. Workshops tied to modules and assessment briefs, rather than generic sessions, increase uptake and relevance.
How should libraries manage cleanliness and safety?
High usage and long dwell times mean students notice hygiene standards. Frequent cleaning of keyboards, desks and touch points, accessible sanitiser stations, and layouts that manage flow sustain productivity and wellbeing. Transparent schedules and visible checks reassure cohorts during busy assessment periods.
How did pandemic-era charges align with access?
Unchanged fees alongside restricted physical access created dissonance for students reliant on specialist facilities. Where universities match charging structures to actual access and publish “you said, we did” updates on enhanced digital provision, trust improves and concerns reduce.
What study space issues hold engineers back?
Overcrowding, noise spill and environmental issues such as damp disrupt extended problem-solving. Reconfiguring layouts to increase individual seats, adding power and ventilation, and prioritising quiet zones near high-spec machines directly support engineering workflows. Involving students in layout pilots and publishing usage data helps target improvements.
What should libraries do next?
Prioritise reliable access, discipline-specific software and bookable spaces that mirror project lifecycles. Strengthen remote platforms for heavy-use software and standards. Keep resource lists current, map workshops to modules, and maintain a rapid feedback loop so students see changes reflected in timetabling, space and digital access.
How Student Voice Analytics helps you
Student Voice Analytics turns NSS open-text into topic and sentiment metrics for library experience and mechanical engineering, with drill-downs by school, cohort and mode. It surfaces where tone diverges (e.g. by study pattern or site), supplies export-ready summaries for quick briefing, and enables like-for-like comparisons across disciplines to evidence change. Teams use it to prioritise fixes in access, study space and software provision, monitor impact over time, and share concise “you said, we did” updates that sustain confidence in library services.
Request a walkthrough
Book a Student Voice Analytics demo
See all-comment coverage, sector benchmarks, and governance packs designed for OfS quality and NSS requirements.
- All-comment coverage with HE-tuned taxonomy and sentiment.
- Versioned outputs with TEF-ready governance packs.
- Benchmarks and BI-ready exports for boards and Senate.
More posts on library:
- Do university libraries meet law students’ needs?
- Do mathematics students rely on university library services?
- What do history students need from UK university libraries?
- How do economics students rate their university libraries?