Western Bank Library Tours

Following 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.

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!

QR Code Competition

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.

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 hours	Staffed service hours
Sunday	10:00 - midnight	14:00 - 18:00
Monday - Thursday	09:00 - midnight	09:00 - 19:00
Friday	09:00 - 21:00	10:00 - 19:00
Saturday	10:00 - 18:00	14:00 - 18:00

Using other libraries - SCONUL Access

SCONUL Access is a co-operative scheme run by a number of higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland. A SCONUL Access card will allow you to access material held in participating libraries.

Full-time undergraduate students will be able to gain reference only access to material held by participating libraries. Take a look at the SCONUL Access website to see the access options available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.  This may be particularly useful if you are travelling home for the Christmas vacation.  

To join the scheme you will need to apply for a card from your home library - The University of Sheffield Library.

Take a look at the library web pages to find out more about applying and participating libraries.

Loan Periods: Christmas Vacation 2009

Christmas vacation loan periods start this week (beginning 14th December). 

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

Please note that items can be reserved as normal throughout the holiday and the only way to ensure that you can keep them for the whole of the vacation loan period is to renew them during the last week of semester.

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

Bibliography of British and Irish History - trial electronic resource

We currently have trial access to the Bibliography of British and Irish History.

The BBIH provides bibliographic data on historical writing relating to British and Irish history from the Roman period to the present day. It includes the details of books, articles in books and articles in journals. For more details on the range of information included take a look at the 'Introduction' tab.

Both advanced and simple searching options are available. Take a look at the 'how to search' section to help you get started.

Access to this electronic resource is available to registered staff and students of the University of Sheffield until 31 December 2009.