Access to education is a powerful tool for personal growth, but for students in secure environments, barriers to resources can make academic progress difficult. The Library Study Volunteers (LSV) service bridges this gap by connecting these students with the research materials they need to succeed. The service is for students studying on Level 2 or above.
The LSV service was designed to address a specific challenge: students in secure environments often lack direct access to the Library’s extensive resources. To overcome this, the LSVs, who are a group of current OU students, volunteer their time to fulfil research requests on behalf of these students.
How to use the service:
To submit a research request, SiSE students complete the form provided by their Education Advisor.
When filling out the form, they need to include the following:
- Your OU Personal Identification Number (PI Number).
- The module code.
- Whether the request relates to a specific assignment.
- Details of the resources you need.
- Any additional relevant information.
Once completed, the form can be returned by post or emailed to SiSE-General@open.ac.uk.
SiSE students will receive a new form each time the LSV team fulfil a request.
What happens next?
Your request will be shared with the Library Study Volunteers (LSV) team, who will use the OU Library’s databases to gather the necessary materials. On average, the team completes a request within just five days, highlighting their dedication and the service's efficiency. The team is approaching the milestone of 700 completed Library Study Requests, made possible by incredible volunteers and the dedicated staff who support this service.
After the research is completed, the materials are sent to the warehouse team for printing. The resources are then printed, packaged and dispatched to ensure you receive everything needed to complete your coursework.
What are the benefits?
The LSV service provides invaluable support for students in secure environments, helping them overcome significant barriers to education.
- Access to essential resources: Students receive tailored research materials they wouldn’t otherwise be able to obtain, enabling them to exceed the course requirements.
- Levelling the playing field: The service aims to give students in a secure environment as many opportunities to succeed as their peers outside secure environments.
- Empowerment through education: Access to learning resources fosters a sense of inclusion, and offers students a pathway to personal growth and future opportunities.
For students, the LSV service represents more than access to information – it’s a lifeline that affirms their connection to a broader academic community and the possibility of achieving their goals.
Transforming lives through collaboration
The Library Study Volunteers service is a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of education. By breaking down barriers to access, it provides students in secure environments with the tools to build a brighter future, demonstrating that education is a right, not a privilege.
What students in secure environments say about the Library Study Volunteers service
“For students in secure environments, this service has been a lifeline to access academic papers for research and professional interests.”
“Without the detailed information I received, I would not have attempted my EMA. I am very grateful for the prompt service I was given, and to the OU students who spent the time researching.”
“Without being able to access the research materials such as articles and reports, I would be unable to conduct the research required to undertake my PhD studies.”
“To be able to provide external resources for assignments has been very helpful – the wealth of resources provided for each study request is wonderful.”
“This service has provided me with extra study material which I would not have had access to otherwise – thank you.”
“So often module materials provide only one perspective, so extra materials to flesh out the learning really helps.”
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