(From left to right) Rachel Smith, Selina Lock, Louise Jones, Janet Guinea, and Jon McGowan from the University of Leicester

The University of Leicester Library's Rooms Project Team (United Kingdom) recently was named a finalist for the International Industry Award for the Best Information/Knowledge Team in the Academic Sector. The award recognizes strong team spirit as well as an innovative approach to collaboration and team-working. Although the Leicester team was not chosen as the final award winner, it received the honor and distinction of being selected as one of only three finalists.

The library's cross-functional team was responsible for the first European university-wide implementation of SirsiDynix Rooms™ content management system, with “Subject Rooms” being launched in October 2005 to wide acclaim across the university. It brings together links to Web sites, databases, embedded Web pages, and search boxes within a subject context to ensure that students and researchers can find the information they need effectively and efficiently. Images are used to make the pages inviting to all users.

The team worked over a period of 18 months to implement the product to ensure that relevant, quality materials were included within the rooms in a user-friendly structure. Rooms were piloted with a thorough evaluation strategy involving staff and student focus groups and usability tests to ensure that the finished product was attractive and easy to navigate.

University Librarian Christine Fyfe said: "I am delighted that the Rooms Project Team has been named as a finalist for this prestigious award. The nomination recognizes innovative and creative team work, which has ensured that University of Leicester users all over the world have access to a superb, easy-to-use digital library."

Congratulations to the University of Leicester Rooms Project Team for their innovation and successful teamwork!