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Wednesday 15 December 2010

eReader Prize Draw

As (hopefully) you’ll be aware we’ve been running a pilot ereader loan scheme in our libraries, which came to end in November. An Amazon Kindle and Sony eReader were loaded with content and loaned to customers in exchange for feedback as part of an evaluation project. Those who took part in our survey were entered into a prize draw to win their own ebook reader!

The prize draw
The prize draw event was held in the Western Bank Library Exhibition Gallery on 6 December 2010. We were delighted to welcome Joe Oliver, Sheffield Students’ Union Education Officer, to introduce the event and pick out the names of two lucky winners. Prize draw entrants were invited along and the event was also attended by Martin Lewis, Director of Library Services, Heather Thrift and Tracey Clarke, the Associate and Assistant Library Directors, and the ebook reader evaluation project group members.

The winners
The lucky ebook reader winners are from the departments of Philosophy and Automatic Systems & Control Engineering, winning an Amazon Kindle 3G and a Sony Reader Touch respectively. Neither of the winners were able to attend the draw, though we’ve since contacted them with the good news and they’re very pleased!

Thank you!
Many thanks to everyone who took part in our eBook reader evaluation. The results of the survey will be made available shortly on the Library web site.

More photos can also be found on Flickr.

Friday 10 December 2010

Christmas vacation loans

Christmas vacation loan periods start next week (beginning 13th December). 

More detailed information on return dates can be found on the Library web pages.

To avoid fines please keep your borrower record up to date.

You can renew items through the Library tab in MUSE or by ringing the renewals hotline (0114) 222 7201

Friday 26 November 2010

Supporting our learners survey

The Library is looking at new ways of delivering help, information and enquiry services in our sites and would welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

If you could spare the time to complete a brief survey your suggestions will help us to determine how best to support you in your learning and research.

Monday 1 November 2010

Oxford Language Dictionaries Online - Trial until 30 November!

Hello,

All those of you who regularly use foreign language dictionaries - in School of Modern Language and Linguistics - in particular we now have access to Oxford Language Dictionaries Online. Please do make use of it and fill out the feedback form.

This is the page that links to the Trial:

http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/cdfiles/trialoxfldo.html

Here is the feedback form:

http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/cdfiles/trialfeedback.html

Do let us know what you think. Many thanks, Clare

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Oxford Scholarship Online - Philosophy Collection

Hello,

Did you know that for the 2010-2011 Academic Year I have subscribed to the Oxford Scholarship Online PHILOSOPHY collection of Ebooks? It includes over 700 titles published by Oxford University Press in the following collections:

Aesthetics, Ancient Philosophy, Feminist Philosophy, General, History of Philosophy, Logic/Philosophy of Mathematics, Metaphysics/Epistemology, Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Science, Political Philosophy

Please have a look - as well as going straight to the Philosophy collection as a database you should find individual titles as ebooks on Star. Here is the link:

http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/cdfiles/oxfscholar.html

Click the CONNECT button and login to MUSE.

If you find it useful (or indeed if you don't) please send in your feedback. You can email me c.scott@sheffield.ac.uk (Faculty Librarian) with  your views or Yonatan Shemmer y.shemmer@sheffield.ac.uk (Departmental Library Coordinator). We would be pleased to know what you think so we can decide whether or not to continue with this service next year.

We look forward to hearing from you, Clare

Friday 8 October 2010

Feedback from Lending Services survey

Many thanks to everyone who took part in the Lending Services survey. We had a fantastic 1140 responses.

You can have a look at the results by following the link to the Library webpages:

http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/services/survey2010.html

Wednesday 29 September 2010

Western Bank Library - Virtual Tour

Don't forget about Western Bank Library if you are a student in the Faculty of Arts. If is full of research material in print that is not available online. It has recently been refurbished and includes some nice well lit study spaces, as well as group spaces, on Level 4. Western Bank Library houses all the print journals, the microfilm and microfiche in the Wolfson centre on Level 4, as well as newspapers, record societies and other material of historical interest. Western Bank Library also houses Special Collections and the National Fairground Archive, where you might find interesting primary sources. If you are new to Sheffield why not take a look at the virtual tour of Western Bank Library

http://www.librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/wbl_tour/wbl_tour.html

Clare

Friday 17 September 2010

Welcome to all our new and returning students!

Find out about Library and IT services.  Come to one of the brief presentations on Level 1 in the Information Commons week beginning 20 September, at 11am, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm.  These are followed by optional tours by student ambassadors and demonstrations of equipment.  Just turn up - there's no need to book.  Student ambassadors and staff are also on hand at our other Library sites to help you find your way around.  You can find more information for new students at http://www.shef.ac.uk/infocommons/students/gettingstarted and http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/services/new.html.

Thursday 5 August 2010

Need your inter-library loan material quickly?

University staff and postgraduate researchers can now submit requests for books and documents held outside the University Library electronically. From the Library tab in MUSE, click on the myInterLibrary requests link, complete the web form and press ‘send’. We’ll let you know as soon as your item becomes available.

If you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate on a taught course you can continue to make your request using the paper forms, and you should obtain an authorisation voucher from your department.

This is a three-month trial and feedback would be very welcome. Your comments can be emailed to library@sheffield.ac.uk

More information about the service can be found at http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/services/ill2.html

Monday 26 July 2010

eBook Reader Pilot

KindleWe’re currently evaluating the potential use of ebook readers within the Library and are running a trial service from July to November 2010. An Amazon Kindle is available for you to try at Western Bank Library or a Sony Pocket Edition Reader is available at the Information Commons.

Tell us what you think of our ebook readers and you could win your own Kindle or Sony Reader! For more information about the pilot see the Library website.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Lending Service Survey

Many thanks to everyone who took part in our lending service survey.  We received over 1100 responses in total from the online and paper survey!  We're looking at the feedback now and will get back to you after we've analysed your comments.

Monday 10 May 2010

Cairn French Language Journals - trial electronic resource

We currently have trial access to Cairn French Language Journals online.

This collection contains over 150 journal titles in the humanities and social sciences. Access is available to over 35,000 articles in full text format. Journals range in date from 2001 to the present.  

Access to this electronic resource is available to registered staff and students of the University of Sheffield until 31 May 2010. You may be prompted to log into MUSE.

You can comment on this trial using the online feedback form.

Monday 26 April 2010

Electronic access to full text Philosophy titles

The University Library now has full text electronic access to the following titles from the Intelex Past Masters collection. You may be prompted to log into MUSE:

  • Aristotle: Complete Works


  • British Philosophy: 1600-1900


  • The Continental Rationalists


  • Dewey: Collected Works (1st Release)


  • Hegel: The Oxford University Press Translations


  • Kant: Hauptwerke


  • Kierkegaard: Journals and Papers


  • Nietzsches Werke


  • Peirce: Collected Papers


  • Political Philosophy: Machiavelli to Mill


  • Wittgenstein: Collected Works


The collection can also be accessed from the Library tab in MUSE under subject databases. Use the alphabetical table to locate the link to Past Masters. 

Monday 19 April 2010

Have your say

Got something to say about the Library's lending service? In September 2009 we introduced some changes to the loans service and we'd like to find out what you think to them. We're conducting a brief survey for this week only and would welcome your comments.

Click here to take survey

Tuesday 13 April 2010

Music Study Scores NOW at the IC

Welcome back to all Music students - you will probably be glad to know that the STUDY SCORES are now shelved on Level 3 (Green Floor) at the IC next to the IC SCORES. The Music books are still on Level 4 (Yellow). The scores were moved in response to requests from the department so I hope this is helpful to everyone.

Just a reminder about the Music Resources elsewhere:

Western Bank Library: the music books are interfiled with the other 700s in the Reading Room. The CD Collection is available on the wooden shelves in the Main Hall. Please take these across to staff at the counter to have them issued and returned. You may take them and use them in the Information Commons on the open access PCs with headphones but please do not try and return them to the Information Commons.

You may also want to make use of the Naxos service for some recordings

http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/cdfiles/naxos.html

The Collected Scores and Facsimile Scores are shelved down in the Music Store on Level 2 at Western Bank Library along with the Music Reference Books.

If you do have any problems accessing any of the Music Resources please do get in touch with me.

Clare

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Virtual tour of Western Bank Library

Hi Everyone,

I am sure you are now getting used to the new and better environment in Western Bank Library. Faculty of Arts students might be interested to know where to find stock that has been moved back or into a better place since the refurbishment.  You may also be aware that there are more study spaces which allow access for wireless laptops. There are also some group study spaces available on Levels 4. To help you find your way round the building we have produced a Virtual Tour. It is only about 4 minutes long. Take a look here

http://www.librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/wbl_tour/wbl_tour.html

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Etheses Session for new PhD Students



The University Library has arranged a further session for newly-registered research students on copyright clearance and the avoidance of unfair means. It’s compulsory for all research students to attend one of these sessions and further information can be found on the use of copyright material website.

This repeat session will be held on Thursday 11 March from 10-11am in the North Campus Graduate Research Centre seminar room. There’s no need to book in advance, just turn up on the day.

Monday 1 March 2010

New titles added to stock for History

Hi History students,

You might be interested to see which titles we have added to stock for you during the last month. Please note you may have to login to MUSE to view the list.

http://library.shef.ac.uk/local/MODHIS-funditems.html

Happy reading, Clare

Friday 12 February 2010

Oxford Reference Online

WBL - DictionariesThe University Library has arranged a trial of Oxford Reference Online (ORO) for all registered staff and students of The University of Sheffield until 9th March 2010.

Electronic access to over 185 reference books and dictionaries is available with almost 1.5 million entries. You'll find both English and bilingual dictionaries of French, German, Spanish and Italian as well as over 45 timelines linking to more than 2,500 key events in 20th-century history in the fields of Art and Architecture; Literature; Performing Arts; Politics and Government; Science, Technology and Medicine; Society; and War.

After connecting to ORO, type in your ucard number in the 'Library card number' box and click 'log-in'.

Oxford Reference Online - Log-in

If you wish to comment on this trial please use the online feedback form.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Victorian Popular Culture database

[caption id="attachment_300" align="alignleft" width="227" caption="Victorian Popular Culture Database from Adam Matthews"]Victorian Popular Culture Database from Adam Matthews[/caption]

Hi,

Especially to those of you studying English, History, Music and Modern Languages. If you have an interest in Victorian Popular Culture  or if you are looking for primary sources to help you with long essays or third year dissertations you might want to take a look at this new resource - available from the Library tab in MUSE under databases. You can find facsimiles and transcripts of beautiful original books, pamphlets, play bills and other ephemera from the world of entertainment, sideshows, circuses etc. Click on the picture to link out to the database and explore.

Good luck with looking for primary sources

Friday 29 January 2010

Western Bank Library Tours

Western Bank LibraryFollowing the completion of the Western Bank Library redevelopment project we'll be offering guided tours to all staff and students. These tours will be an opportunity for you to ask questions about the new facilities, learn more about where our various collections are housed, in what areas you can expect to find silent study and how we plan to use the exhibition space etc.

Student tours are due to commence week beginning February 8th and are open to everyone. There'll be two sessions a day, starting at 11am and 3pm, and all you have to do is show up at the library five minutes beforehand. Make your way up the 1st flight of stairs from the main entrance on Level G and we'll be waiting on Level M.

For more information about the project take a look at our webpages or contact library staff by email library@sheffield.ac.uk.

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Finding Missing Books - Archaeology Students

It has come to my notice that some Archaeology students are having problems with missing books.  I posted this advice last year for History students. The advice could apply to anyone in the Faculty of Arts who cannot find the book they are looking for but here is a version specially for the Archaeologists.

9 times out of 10 a "missing" book is not actually missing.  Often books get misshelved, both in the IC and in the Western Bank Library.

Before you try making a request for a book apparently not out but not on the shelf try these things and you may find your missing book...

  • Try adjacent shelves to left and right

  • Try a few shelves above and below

  • Mistakes can compound themselves so occasionally there can be two sequences within a few shelves

  • If the shelfmark starts e.g. 913... you could try 513... or 813...

  • 930.*** can be found misshelved at 933.****

  • It is often worth trying the Q section as well as the main sequence at Western Bank Library

  • Always check the re-shelving shelves


Please note if the catalogue -Star lists a book as MISSING - it has already been spotted as a missing item by Library staff and they are searching for it. It will make its way into a system and eventually I will be notified and I will buy a replacement. However, at busy times and when we are short-staffed this process can take 2-3 weeks at least. If you really need something quickly and you can see it is listed as MISSING it is always worth emailing me directly and I can fast-track a replacement order. I do need to know which module it is for and how soon it is needed though, so put that information in  your email.

Please do remember that if you are having any problems with resources, finding information, referencing or other information literacy issues you can come and see me  or email me directly and I will respond to you individually. I am here to help you get the best out of the library and support you in your studies so please get in touch - don't just grumble I might be able to do something about  your problem.

My email address is c.scott@sheffield.ac.uk

Good Luck!

Thursday 14 January 2010

QR Code Competition



Paul Tobin (Left) and Dami Bakare (Right)During October/November 2009 the university library ran a competition (sponsored by JISC) to win an iPod Touch. Students were asked to comment on the library blogs, suggesting ways the library could use QR codes to support services. The range of responses we received has given the project group plenty of food for thought and they would like to thank all for your participation.

The lucky winner, Dami Bakare (a third year dental student), was drawn out of a hat by Paul Tobin, President of the Student Union, before Christmas and was presented with his prize early this week.

To read more about QR codes - what they are and how to use them - take a look at the library news page and have a practice with the codes found on our blogs. Any further comments about the library's use of QR codes are always welcome or if you'd prefer to email suggestions you can contact us at library@sheffield.ac.uk.

For more photos of the presentation have a look at our Flickr photostream and check out the article in Forge Press.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Western Bank Library Extended Opening Hours



During the Winter exam period (from January 10th to February 4th) the Western Bank Library has extended opening hours (see the table below for times). With the redevelopment work now in its final stages (affecting Level 3 and the impaired-mobility access route on Level G) you'll find plenty of silent study spaces and our upgraded network means greater wifi access.



























Opening hoursStaffed service hours
Sunday10:00 - midnight14:00 - 18:00
Monday - Thursday09:00 - midnight09:00 - 19:00
Friday09:00 - 21:0010:00 - 19:00
Saturday10:00 - 18:0014:00 - 18:00