Author Archives: Jackie Skinner

Beware spam email asking you to renew your account

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A spam email has been sent to some University members asking users to renew their Library account. Please DON’T click on the link in this message. It is not from us, even though the login page it takes you to looks like our ‘Online Resources Single Sign On’ page.

This is the text of the message:

Spam email received by University members

Protect your account

Always check the following before clicking on any link in an email purporting to be from the University, to avoid your University account being compromised:

  • Check the email address of the sender – libraries@reading.co is not our address, it is library@reading.ac.uk
  • Watch out for poor spelling and grammar, for example ‘base’ instead of ‘basis’, ‘inconveniences’ instead of ‘inconvenience’
  • Hover over any link to see if it is actually going to the address stated

Jackie Skinner 
on behalf of Sam Tyler, Library Systems Manager

Your one-stop shop for Library information – info tip

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Library homepageDistance learner? No time to make it to the Library between lectures? Don’t worry – the Library website contains a wealth of help and information to support your studies.

Where to find what…

Use the menu on the left-hand side of each page to explore the site.

  • Using the Library – information on facilities and services, including borrowing, opening hours, printing/photocopying and floor plans
  • Finding information – help and guidance on finding information, including details of resources in your subject
  • E-resources – links to e-journals, e-books and databases, and information about accessing them
  • Contacts & support – people, sites and services
  • About us – policies, facts and figures
  • Libraries beyond UoR – using other libraries or getting items via inter-library loan
  • Maths Support – help with any mathematical topic you need for your studies
  • Study Advice – 1-1 and online expert advice for developing your study skills

First things first

The things you need most frequently are on our homepage.

  • Enterprise catalogue search box – most people come to the Library website to search the catalogue for books and e-books, so it takes centre stage
  • Summon search box – our new discovery service allows you to find online journal articles and book chapters on a topic
  • Opening hours – this week’s opening hours are on the homepage, enabling you to check them quickly and easily
  • Subject resources – jump straight to our subject guides to find the most relevant resources and information for you, and contact details for your librarian
  • E-resources – quick links to our databases, e-books and e-journals; all available 24-7
  • Library news – keep up-to-date with the latest Library news (or follow us on Twitter or Facebook)
  • Out-of-hours Virtual Enquiry Service – use this chat box on left of our homepage to get help from librarians around the world when our Information Desks are closed

Scroll to the bottom of our homepage for more useful links, including guidance for specific groups of Library users, alternative study space across campus, and links to related services.

Enterprise – more than just books

Enterprise is the Library catalogue. Use it to find items in the Library including books, journals, DVDs, theses etc. You can also search Enterprise to find our e-journals and e-books – so you don’t even need to set foot in the Library to make use of our resources! Just search for a book or journal as you usually would and you may find a record that links you to the online version.

You can also use Enterprise to check your account to find out when your books are due and to renew your loans. Just log in with your University username and password.

Enterprise also covers many of the collections held across the University, including those at the Museum of English Rural Life and the Special Collections Service (archives and rare books) – a one-stop shop to find out about the wealth of materials you could use for your work.

To find out more about Enterprise, and tips on using it, go to our Help using Enterprise.

Find journal articles and much more using Summon

Search results on SummonThe Summon discovery service enables you to easily find full-text articles and book chapters on any subject.

Everything you find should be available to read as the results are limited to publications covered by the Library’s subscriptions.

You will also find definitions from reliable encyclopedias and dictionaries related to your topic. Other materials covered include newspaper articles, standards, conference proceedings, government documents, trade publications and book reviews.

To find out more about Summon, and tips on searching it, go to our Help using Summon.

Hidden depths

Some pages you might not have discovered…

  • Jargon buster – what does ‘folio’ mean? I need to use an ‘Institutional login’ – what is it? What is a ‘hold’? Answers to these and more in our Jargon buster
  • How to… – answers to our most frequently asked questions
  • Wikipedia alternatives – online dictionaries and encyclopedias you can rely on
  • Can’t get the item you need? – tips on getting hold of material for your studies, and contacting us about resources not in the Library

Can’t find what you are looking for?

  • Site search – use the search box at the very top of the screen, or limit your search to pages on the Library site using the ‘Site search’ function at the bottom of the page
  • Site index – next to the ‘Site search’ function, this gives an alphabetical list of what’s on the website

Any comments?

If you have any comments about the Library website, or suggestions for improvement, fill in the Website comments form or contact the Library Web Manager Jackie Skinner.

This is one of a series of tips to help save you time and effort finding information

This tip was written by Jackie Skinner, the Library Web Manager.

New student? Make the most of your Library – info tip

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Students studying in the URS Building

Group study space in the URS Building

Welcome!

We are here to support your studies, providing you with access to information – online, multimedia or printed – and the skills to make the most of it.

For a general intro…

Learning how to use the Library

A large academic library can be confusing and hard to find your way around. This year Library services are also operating from two buildings: study space and services are located in the URS Building, whilst printed materials are still available to borrow from the adjacent Library building.

Come to a ‘Finding your way in the Library’ session

Our interactive sessions run throughout Welcome Week and Week 1. Discover how to find books in the Library and borrow them, and have a tour of the services and facilities in the URS Building. Each session lasts around one hour, but could save you a lot more time in the long run!

To find out more and book your place see – Finding your way workshops.

Students outside the URS Building

The URS Building

Explore your Library & the URS Building in Welcome Week

We are open through Welcome Week, so why not explore before all the other students return? Between 09:00 and 17:00 you can:

  • Collect a self-guided Library tour leaflet to follow – stop off at whatever is relevant to you.
  • Visit the Library to find resources for your subject – pick up a guide to your subject there and pick-up a freebie from one of our information suppliers.
  • Pop in to the URS Building next door to discover your favourite study areas on the 2nd Floor (we’ve got silent, quiet and group spaces) and the largest PC facility in the University on the Ground Floor (along with IT help from the Service Desk).
  • Also meet Study Advice and Maths Support on the Ground Floor of the URS Building and pick up a free planner to organise your new University life!

Visit us in the Marquee

On Tuesday 19 September, Library staff and the Study Advice Team will be in the Marquee for ‘Academic success and module selection day’. Please pop in and have a chat with us about how we can support your studies.

Explore our online help

We’ve got lots of resources on our website to support your studies and develop your skills.

  • Try one of our LibLearn Tutorials to find out how to use the Library, search the catalogue, and more. Available 24/7 on Blackboard, the University’s online learning system.
  • Watch our videos – these cover a variety of topics ranging from placing holds on books, to doing your literature search.
  • Take a look at your subject guide, to discover key resources relevant to your studies.
  • Develop your study skills by exploring the wide range of guides and videos provided by our in-house Study Advice Team.

Our friendly subject liaison librariansGet individual help

Your friendly subject liaison librarian will be happy to give you individual help with any subject-related enquiries, or questions about the Library. You might also see yours as part of a Library session organised by your Department.

For one-to-one help with study skills contact the Study Advice Team.

Prepare yourself for life at University

Have you completed the Study Smart online course? This short course has been designed to help you make a smooth transition to University learning. It covers academic integrity, communicating at University and being an independent learner. Why not find time in Welcome Week to complete the course if you haven’t already done so?

For more information…

For extra guidance see Information for new Library users on our website.

This is one of a series of tips to help save you time and effort finding or using information

This tip was written by Learning Support Co-ordinator Sally Smith and Library Web Manager Jackie Skinner.

Library refurbishment: path deviation and demolition of staircase

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Orange barrier across footpath with partially demolished Library building behindPedestrians and cyclists should note that a path diversion has been placed around the south west corner of the Library Building.

The diversion has been put in place as a major phase of work – the demolition of staircase 2 – will commence from Monday 7 August.

The diversion will take pedestrians and cyclists away from the concentrated area of work around the south side of the building – please just walk around under the end of the URS Building to regain your route.

Inside the Library, staircase 2 is enclosed behind hoardings and is located on the right-hand side of the building as you walk in through the front entrance, adjacent to the male toilets.

The demolition will be carried out in progressive phases, moving from top to bottom of the structure. Noise levels are likely to be high, depending on the works being carried out. The bulk of the noisiest demolition works are planned to be carried out before the start of the Autumn Term.

Study space across campus

You can find details of study space across campus on the Library refurbishment project page.

This includes around 800 spaces available in the URS Building, and other campus rooms available for immediate use, which you can find through the Free Room Finder.

Stay up to date

Keep checking the Library blog for the latest refurbishment news and updates.

Details of the Library facilities available in URS (including services, map and opening times) can be found on our dedicated Library@URS page.

For more information on the Library refurbishment, please see our dedicated project page.

Jackie Skinner, Library Web Manager

Enterprise upgrade 26-27 July: some services disrupted

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Fire extinguisher hung on wall behind grinning, enigmatic but cheeky blighter.

Systems Team Manager Sam is ready to fire-fight any possible blips after the Library systems upgrade, over-night on Wednesday 26 July.

Following on from our recent upgrade to Enterprise, our Library Catalogue, we need to do a bit more work to give us a robust, reliable system and take advantage of some new features. Whilst we do this Enterprise may be unavailable on Wednesday 26 July, between 15:00 and midnight.

You will still be able to …

  • Search the old Library catalogue, Unicorn to access book locations and some E-resources.  Or try Summon for some other E-resources.
  • Pop into the Library until 17:00 or ask at the URS Information Desk about your account, pay fines etc.

But you won’t be able to …

  • access your online Library account to renew your loans or pay fines.

This work should have finished by Thursday 27 July, but the catalogue will still be ‘at risk’ on that day as the Systems Team test the upgrade.  We will be sure to inform you if there are any other changes to the service that may occur.

Jackie Skinner, Library Web Manager for
Sam Tyler, Library Systems Manager

My account is back!

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Laptop, tablet and mobile on a deskWe’re pleased to let you know that the problem with logging in to Library accounts has been fixed. You should be able to access your account, renew your loans, pay fines and place holds as normal. However, there are ongoing IT issues on campus which means that this service might still be at risk of disruption.

Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused. If you experience any problems accessing your Library account please email library@reading.ac.uk.

Jackie Skinner, Library Web Manager

Goodbye ‘old-style’ Athens access

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Eduserv, the company who provide the Athens service, are decommissioning this access route on the 31 October 2016. They will no longer be providing this service for any institution. Those with long memories might remember the news three years ago regarding the move from old-style Athens to Institutional login for accessing e-resources. Since then we’ve continued to work on ensuring your access and authentication to our resources is as simple and seamless as possible, and with IT have enabled access for the majority of them via the Single Sign On (SSO) page.

Almost all of you will be used to going via the SSO page, so the news that the old-style Athens login is finally being removed should have no impact at all. However we are aware there are a few people still logging in via the old Athens sign-in page:

Athens login screen

You might have reached this page either because you have an old bookmark for a resource, or because you have found the University of Reading listed under ‘Login via Athens’ options on resource websites. After 31 October you will no longer find us listed here, we will only be listed via the Institutional login options, often shown on the same pages.

You may need to update your links

If any of your favourites or bookmarks for resources take you to the page above, you will need to replace them with up-to-date links that direct you to login via the SSO page. To find an up-to-date link:

  • Go to our Databases A-Z list.
  • Locate your resource and click on the link for it.
  • On the next page, click on the off-campus link to the resource. This should take you via the SSO page.
  • Enter your University username and password and click on log in.
  • You should now be in the resource and you can favourite or bookmark this page.
  • The next time you use your new favourite link it will automatically route you to the SSO page so you can login.

Alternatively, if you are trying to access a specific book or journal, just follow the links from the Enterprise catalogue.

Need help?

If you have any problems accessing a specific resource please fill in our e-resources problem report form and a member of the E-resources Team will investigate your issue.

Jackie Skinner, on behalf of Sue Egleton, Head of Systems & User Services

New architecture resource – try it now!

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Eiffel towerTry out Art and Architecture Complete and let us know what you think.

This database for the study of art and architecture provides easy access to academic journals, magazines, trade publications and books. It includes full-text coverage for hundreds of journals with some dating back to 1937.

The trial is available both on- and off-campus and will last until 25 November.

Let us know what you think!

Please send your comments on this resource to the Architecture Liaison Librarian, Helen Hathaway. Email: h.m.hathaway@reading.ac.uk.

Jackie Skinner, Library Web Manager

Summon – new and improved!

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Our Summon Discovery Service has been upgraded, resulting in an improved interface and some new features. Summon allows you to search across the Library’s online collections of journal articles, book chapters, and other publication types. Search it via the Summon search box on the Library homepage.

Summon search results

Results display

  • To see a summary of each item click on the ‘Preview’ link. This will display the abstract, subject keywords and other details of the item in the body of your results, instead of in the right-hand panel.
  • You can cite, email or export details of individual items. This is in addition to being able to add items to your ‘Saved items’ folder to cite, email or export details for multiple references.
  • Definitions from reliable sources, such as Encyclopaedia Britannica, will appear in the right-hand pane. Along with suggested searches you might wish to try.
  • Displays of citation counts from the Web of Science/Scopus and social media interaction indicators from Altmetric have been improved. Use these to help you judge the impact of an item.

Refine options improved

  • It is now possible to exclude items using the refine options on the left of the screen. Just hover over one of the refine options and click on the red cross that appears. This will exclude items in that category from your results. This is in addition to being able to click on an option, to just look at items in that category.
  • Publication date limits have also been improved. Some pre-set options are available, enabling you to easily limit your results to items published in the last 12 months, 3 years, or 5 years. Alernatively, you can use the date slider to select your own custom date range.

Feedback

We hope you find these new features useful. If you have any comments about Summon, please contact Jackie Skinner.

Jackie Skinner, Library Web Manager