InfoLinks… Library, Special Collections and Museums Blog
This page contains useful links to Library resources and services for academic and support staff at the University of Aberdeen.
Information Skills Refresher Courses
Professional library staff deliver free courses specifically designed for University staff (and students). Most courses include short summary presentations followed by practical workshops and generally last between 1.5 to 3 hours.
Our courses for students cover every stage of information retrieval from designing search strategies to managing references and creating bibliographies using RefWorks reference management software. We also hold update/refresher sessions on major resources, including Scopus, Web of Knowledge, EBSCO databases, JSTOR and CSA databases. Courses are held in the PC classrooms in the University Library.
Courses are open to University staff and research postgraduates only. Staff can book online via the course booking system.
Help and Advice
Information Consultants
Our Information Consultants are responsible for teaching information skills, liaison with academic staff in Schools and Colleges and consultancy. Here are some of the things they can do for you:
- Discuss support you may need for teaching, including threaded information skills sessions. For example, our Avoiding Plagiarism Roadshow delivered in conjunction with members of staff in the Student Learning Service has been extremely popular.
- Liaise with your Library Representative (who administers a Library Resource Allocation Fund for your School) to inform us of the resources you require to support your research and teaching programmes. The team is available to discuss your information needs and how we can best meet them.
- Offer extra-curricular information skills workshops for UG and TPG students. The courses are held during lunch times over the academic session and last approximately 1 hour.
- Courses include how to design searches, using the library catalogue, using major electronic resources such as Scopus, Web of Knowledge, JSTOR and ebrary/ScienceDirect e-books and using RefWorks software to create bibliographies.
- Offer advice on identifying and using information resources for your subject interest.
- Assist you with any problems you might have with using databases or Refworks reference management software.
- Look up the Information Consultant for your subject here.
You are advised to email or ring to set up an appointment with your Information Consultant. In certain times of the year they are frequently out of their offices taking courses and workshops.
Library Staff
If you are new to the University and would like to know more general information about library services and facilities why don’t you have a chat with staff in one of our libraries? You are always welcome to pop in and see us.
As a member of the University you are entitled to use all 4 libraries – University Library, Taylor Library, Medical Library, Special Collections Centre (in the University Library), Reid Library.
Information Guides
We produce a comprehensive range of guides to Library and Historic Collections services and resources. Every title is available electronically in Word and PDF format, and printed copies of some of these publications may be obtained from Library branches.
There are a number of short guides outlining resources for certain subjects. If you are interested in including these or any other titles in your course packs please talk to the Information Consultant for your subject interest. You can take a look at the titles here.
Podcasts
We call our podcasts AudioPODS – they are audio files with additional features such as photographs, floor plans and links to web pages for those of you with new generation players. Don’t worry if you have an older mp3 player – you can still listen to our AudioPODS in mp3 format! In fact our AudioPODs can also be played on computers and new generation mobile ‘phones.
We’ve got loads to choose from …. listen to what we have from here!
VodCasts
Library VodCasts are demonstrations on how to access electronic resources and find materials using library search tools such as the library catalogue and electronic databases. They are video-style recordings (screencasts), so you see a step-by-step guide on your computer monitor, accompanied by a spoken commentary. The can be played on Windows and Mac operating systems.
Your distance learners may find some of these recordings useful in the course of their studies. Our VodCasts are available here.
Library on Twitter
We use Twitter to post updates (Tweets) on new services and resources, problems relating to access to our services or databases and any other important news items. Read our Tweets here!
Ask a Librarian Instant Messaging Service
Our new instant messaging (IM) service is available from a chat box located on the Library Home Page. If you have a basic question relating to library services or resources why don’t you give it a go? We will try our best to answer your query just as soon as possible. If we can’t answer your query we will give you contact details of a member of library staff who can!
The Ask A Librarian Service is available term-time only but we are always looking for ways to extend and improve our services. You have a number of alternative ways to contact us when the IM service is closed. An email link is supplied below the chat box on the LSC&M home page.
IT Service Desk
Contact the IT Service Desk for help with problems accessing databases from off-campus or support for any other IT related problems.
- IT Service Desk contact details
- Out of Hours Helpline
- IT Service Desks in Libraries (times and locations)
- Help to set up your laptop to access library databases (please note that the Edward Wright Service Desk does not deal with wireless issues between 13:00 and 14:00pm).
Keeping informed
HeadLines e-magazine
HeadLines is a newsletter aimed at keeping you informed of news and developments in Library & Historic Collections. Regular features include updates on the new library build, new purchase deals for information resources and new services on offer.
A condensed version of HeadLines is circulated via email several times a year. Use links to a web-version to read articles in greater detail. Previous issues can be read here.
We welcome contributions from University staff particularly regarding LSC&M collections that have been used in teaching courses or that have been useful in your research, and in collaboration with others. To find out more email the Documentation Team at factsheet@abdn.ac.uk.
L&HC on Facebook
A “University of Aberdeen Library & Historic Collections Group” is now active on Facebook. You can view the wall and join the group from this link.
L&HC on Flickr
A photostream of the new library construction is available on Flickr here.
L&HC on YouTube
Short video style presentations on the new library build and collections in L&HC are now available on YouTube here.
