Traveling to the 2026 LILAC (Information Literacy) Conference hosted by the University of Sheffield provided an excellent opportunity for a visit to the FSU London campus. Last month, Liz Dunne, who serves as the Head of Teaching, Learning, and Engagement, and Michael Pritchard, our Distance Library Services Specialist, spent a full day at the Study Centre to connect with international colleagues and students before heading north for the conference. This visit offered a valuable chance to see how our library mission translates into a global context and to strengthen the ties between our Tallahassee headquarters and our students studying abroad.
The Historic Architecture of Great Russell Street
The FSU London Study Centre is situated in a remarkable row of 17th-century townhouses on Great Russell Street. This location is strategically placed directly behind the British Museum, putting our students in the very heart of the Bloomsbury district, an area famous for its literary and intellectual history. These buildings were originally constructed as private residences during a period of significant urban expansion in London. Today, they have been meticulously preserved and interconnected to provide a unique learning environment.
Walking through the center, Liz and Michael noted how the historic architecture shapes the student experience. The narrow staircases, original fireplaces, and large sash windows offer a sense of place that is quite different from our modern facilities in Florida. This setting serves as a daily reminder to students of the deep history surrounding them as they move between their living quarters and their classrooms. The preservation of these spaces requires constant care, ensuring that the structural integrity of the 17th-century design meets the technological demands of a 21st-century education.
Theatre Academy London and the Academic Spaces
During the tour of the building, the group spent time in the specialized classrooms that house the Theatre Academy London (TAL). This program is a major draw for FSU students, as it allows them to study performance, stage management, and dramatic writing in one of the premier theatrical hubs in the world. The team saw rehearsal spaces where students work under the guidance of professional London artists. The curriculum is designed to be immersive, and seeing the physical spaces where this training happens provided Liz and Michael with a clearer understanding of the information needs of theatre students. Whether they are researching the historical accuracy of a costume or looking for contemporary British plays, these students rely on the library to ground their creative work in academic research.
Exploring the Library and Technical Facilities
Eddie Cheung, the IT Manager and Library Manager for FSU London, hosted the group throughout the day. Eddie occupies a vital role at the center, balancing the technical infrastructure of the campus with the management of its academic resources. He led a comprehensive tour of the library, which currently houses a specialized collection of 10,000 books. This collection is not a general-purpose library but is instead highly curated to support the specific courses offered at the London Study Centre, including art history, British literature, and international affairs.
The visit also highlighted the dedicated study areas and the computer lab, which are essential for students who need a quiet, academic environment to complete their assignments. In a busy city like London, having a secure and well-equipped home base is a significant advantage for our students.
Insights from our Student Workers
The centerpiece of the afternoon was a lunch with the Library OPS student workers. Many of these students are participants in the First-Year Abroad (FYA) program. These students are in a unique position, as they are starting their university careers in a foreign country before ever attending classes on the Tallahassee campus. The conversation was wide ranging, covering their daily tasks in the library, their interest in librarianship as a profession, and their observations on the challenges facing the current generation of students.
The students identified several pressing issues, most notably the impact of information overload and the constant pressure of digital connectivity. They discussed how the library can serve as a vital intervention point by offering “analog” experiences and digital wellness resources. They suggested that the library should continue to expand its role in teaching AI literacy, helping students distinguish between credible research and machine-generated content.
Regarding their roles as FSU employees, the students shared that working in the library has been a foundational part of their London experience. They noted that the library provides a sense of community and professional structure that helps them navigate the transition to college life. This feedback aligns with institutional data from across the university system. Student employment is a high- impact practice, and those who work on campus often report higher levels of belonging and academic success. For our FYA students, the library is not just a workplace but a home away from home.
Bidding London Farewell
The day was filled with productive dialogue regarding how the Tallahassee and London campuses can better collaborate on resource sharing, student engagement, and instructional support for staff and faculty. As the workday came to a close, Liz and Michael bid Eddie goodbye and prepared for the next leg of their journey to Sheffield.
This visit was a reminder that while our campuses are separated by thousands of miles, the core mission of FSU Libraries remains the same. We are committed to providing the resources, spaces, and expertise that empower our students to succeed, whether they are studying in the shadow of the Westcott Building or just steps away from the British Museum. We look forward to implementing the ideas shared by the London team and our dedicated student workers as we continue to evolve our services for the 2026 academic year and beyond.
Written by Michael Pritchard
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