Disability and inclusion resource guide for UK Disability History Month

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This UK Disability History Month, check out the Library’s guide to disability and inclusion-related topics.

Black text on a yellow blackground saying Disability history month, University of Reading.

The guide takes the same format as our other subject guides but focuses on materials from across our Library and Special Collections, as well as pointing you towards other useful online resources, libraries and archives.

 

Suggest more diverse library resources

Homepage for the University of Reading disability and inclusion guide

Bookmark our guide for a wealth of information

Visit our dedicated Library Diversity fund reading lists to see Diversity fund titles purchased in current and previous academic years and help us to build this important collection.

Can you help us diversify Library collections further by suggesting books, DVDs, topics or authors for purchase? We’re keen to hear from you if you notice an area you feel is currently underrepresented. Just complete our Diversify our collections suggestion form and we’ll do the rest!

Library Diversity & Inclusion Group

Wondering how you can get the most out of your lectures? Follow our quick tips:

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students in a lecture theatre image

So, we’re now a few weeks into the term and students have been asking us how to ensure they get the most out of their lectures without spending hours refining their notes or worrying that they may have missed some vital information. Here’s some tips from your friendly Study Advice team:

1. Before the lecture

To get the most out of lectures you should prepare beforehand.

  • Do some pre reading – if you have been given some reading for the lecture, read it beforehand. You might also want to look at the outline of the lecture and get an overview of the topic from the web or a core textbook. If you have subject terminology to get your head around, putting together a glossary of terms will help you follow the lecture. The more knowledge you have when you attend the lecture, the more you will get out of it.
  • Check out the slides – you should be given access to the slides before the lecture. Do have a quick look through so you know what will be covered. You can use this in conjunction with your reading to identify any sections you particularly want to listen out for.
  • Prepare for your note taking – decide whether you want to take notes online or on paper. You should use the slides to help you. Either printing them off with 3 slides and notes on a page, or consider saving them in a folder, if you wish to take notes electronically.

During the lecture

In the lecture be prepared to listen and engage.

  • Have the slides ready for you to take notes on and be prepared to listen, actively engage and think. This will all help to develop your understanding.
  • Take a note of your thoughts. You don’t need to take notes of everything that is said – instead, add your thinking to the slides and examples that have helped your understanding. What questions have been raised? And what are your thoughts? Many lectures give the opportunity for you to ask these questions and they’ll also be useful for the seminars that follow.

After the lecture

Allocate time to do some thinking and filing

  • Review your notes. As soon as possible after the lecture, spend a bit of time thinking about what you learnt. Skim over your notes and fill in any gaps with the recommended reading.
  • Create a summary. You might want to create a summary note which you can attach (or file) alongside the lecture slides. You could use a spider diagram or something like the Cornell approach.
  • File away your notes -either using carefully labelled online folders or a lever arch file and dividers – so you can find them easily when you need them for assessments.

To find out more about making the most out of lectures and seminars, check out our guide and attend our weekly webinars, including on managing your reading and notetaking on 19th October.

EndNote and Mendeley workshops this term

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Take the pain out of referencing by learning to use a reference management system. We are offering workshops on using EndNote and Mendeley at the following times.Seated person with a large stack of books on the desk directly in front

Click on the links below to book your place.

 

Desktop EndNote

Desktop EndNote is a comprehensive reference management system. You can download accurate references from many databases, such as Web of Science. Use the ‘Find Full-text’ feature to automatically download and attach PDFs for those references. Use the Word plugin to insert in-text citations and watch the bibliography grow automatically. Select from thousands of referencing styles or create your own – great if you’re writing for publication. Download it free on your own computer via the IT Self-Service Portal.

See our EndNote guide to find out more.

Mendeley Reference Manager

Mendeley Reference Manager is designed to make storing references and PDFs as simple as possible. You can drag and drop PDFs directly into your library or use its Web Importer to capture details of websites and other sources. If you work a lot with article PDFs, Mendeley is a good option for you.

See our Mendeley guide to find out more.

Book your place

Sign up to the workshops here. If you can’t make any of the specified sessions but would like to know more, take a look at our reference management guide or contact your Academic Liaison Librarian.

Karen Drury
Academic Liaison Librarian

Upcoming University of Reading Open Days

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Image of Library exterior in sunlight

Come and visit the centrepiece of the campus

The Library will be welcoming visitors for Open Days on Saturday 8 and Saturday 15 October 2022. Have you registered yet?

Make the most of visiting the Library, get to know our spaces and learn more about what’s available. Our teams of friendly, knowledgeable staff and University Student Ambassadors will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions, provide in-person tours and help you take full advantage of your Open Day visit. 

Check out our:

  • Study spaces: Whether you are collaborating on a group project or prefer to study alone, we have a range of spaces to suit your needs. From bookable group study rooms to silent study spaces, you can be sure of finding your new favourite spot.
  • Wide range of print resources: Explore our vast selection of print books and journals spanning across three floors.
  • Study Advice desk: Learn about our Study Advisers and how they can help you get better results and discover how our Academic Liaison Librarians can help with your subject-specific queries.

Or, if you need to refuel, why not stop at the Library Café before exploring the rest of the campus?

Out of time but still want to see the Library? Watch one of our self-paced tours to learn more about the Library in your own time.

No matter what you choose to study, the Library is ready to welcome you. Come and visit, and find out how we can support you..

We look forward to seeing you.

 

Your Library team

Introducing the University’s Wellbeing book collection

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Letters on a board spelling 'Don't panic' in white capital letters on a pink background.

Our wellbeing collection may be able to help

Thanks to a generous donation from the Alumni and Supporter Engagement Team, the University Library has been developing a collection of books and e-books that fall under the general wellbeing category. We hope this will be of benefit to as many students and staff as possible – and be used in conjunction with all the other support services available at the University.

A stack of brightly coloured books

We have a wide range of books about wellbeing to choose from

Students and staff have been providing recommendations for this collection throughout 2022, helping us to make it as broad as possible. We have bought 100s of items on topics from mindfulness and mental health to student life and resilience. From stress and anxiety to autism and ADHD.

Take a look at the list of everything we’ve purchased so far –  Wellbeing books 2022.

 

It is a living and growing collection so if you spot an area that you think is missing, or can recommend a book that has helped you, it’s not too late to add to the collection. Simply fill in the book details on this suggestion form.

 

You may find a useful gem that could inspire you or help you get back on track. There are so many fantastic books that can provide all sorts of help, but don’t forget our brilliant Counselling and Wellbeing service based in the Carrington building on Whiteknights campus. They work throughout the year to help with a wide range of issues. The service offers support including one-to-one (either face to face, on the phone or over Teams), groups, workshops, online guidance and onward referrals to other support services, and is open to all registered students (undergraduate or postgraduate) at the University, free of charge.

Counselling and Wellbeing service – A guide to accessing the service.

 

Tim Chapman

Diversity and Inclusion Lead

University of Reading Library, September 2022.

Opening hours back to 24/6+  

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Welcome back to all of our new and continuing students! It’s a fresh new academic year, and we are returning to our regularly-scheduled 24/6+ opening hours.

Monday 26 September – Friday 9 December       
Mon – Fri* 24 hours
Sat Open until 21:00
Sun Open from 08:30
*Friday 9 December: Library open until midnight.

 

The Library Café generally closes at 18:00 Monday – Thursday and at 16:00 Friday – Sunday; for the most up-to-date opening hours, please see their webpage. IT Service Desk hours can be found on the DTS website. 

Welcome Week Library events 2022

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Image shows a sign that says Welcome, please come in.We’d like to wish you a great big welcome from all the staff at the University of Reading Library!

Wondering about how to use the Library and what’s available?  We have a variety of events planned for you all week.

Here’s a rundown of what’s going on:

New student Libguide

An online guide telling you about the library including useful videos, answers to questions, where to get help and all our welcome week events.

Introducing your library

We are running tours on Tuesday and Thursday, every 30 minutes from 10:00 – 15:30. No need to book, just meet in the Library foyer.

Self-paced tours

We know there’s a lot going on right now!  So if you want to just take things slowly, at a time that suits you, we’ve created a self-paced tour for you to go through online.  Or you can pick up one of our handy expandable maps in the Library, to take a look around the building yourself. Or check out our Instagram tour.

Library talk

Come along to find out how the Library can support your studies.  Just come along to the Palmer building room 102 at 15:00 – 16:00 on Wednesday.

Special Collections

Find out about the University’s Special Collections and make a badge. In the Library foyer 11:00 – 14:00 on Wednesday.

Escape Game

On Friday between 10:00 – 14:00 we will be running a library themed escape game. Come along in a team, or drop by and we will put you into a team. Meet in the Library foyer.

If you join in with anything, don’t forget to let us know on social media!  You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Your Library Team

Library open Saturday 17 September

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Stay ahead of the term time rush and come and make the most of our final summer vacation Saturday opening.

On Saturday 17 September, we’re open 8:30 – 17:00 and our friendly staff will be on hand all day to answer your questions.

Student looking at laptop in study booth

Time to focus in one of our many study spaces

So, if you’d like to enjoy some quality study time, or maybe just browse and explore our resources before the busy autumn term kicks off, this is a date to put in your diary.

Looking for more specific help from a Library professional within your subject area? Visit our online guidance or make an appointment as we won’t be able to deal with specific one-to-one subject enquiries on the day.

Keen to stay hydrated? Although the Library Café won’t be open, water fountains are available on most floors. You’re also welcome to bring your own lidded drink.

Please be aware that the IT Service Desk will be working on Registration – further information about their service hours can be found on their webpages.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Your Library team

Problems with accessing e-resources- resolved

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We have received an update from the company who manages our authentication system and they have confirmed that the issues we were having this morning have now been resolved.

You should now be able to get access to the resources you need as usual.

If you encounter any further problems, please contact the E-resources Team at eresourceshelp@reading.ac.uk or submit a Problem Report Form.

Thank you for your patience while this issue was resolved.

Lindsay Warwick, E-resources Team

Library closed Bank Holiday Monday

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Image of University Library from a distance

The Library will be closed Monday 29 August for the August Bank Holiday. Please see our opening hours for information.

Although the building may not be open, registered staff, students and Associate members can still access our wealth of e-resources 24/7.  

If you’re looking for a PC, don’t worry! PC labs are still available on campus for registered students.  

Please note that collections from Closed Access will not be available at this time, but they will resume Wednesday 31 August. 

 

Your Library Team 

Borrow more books for longer!

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As well as upgrading all our 7-day loan books to standard loan we’re making even more improvements so you can borrow more books for longer.  

Seated person with a large stack of books on the desk directly in front

Items can be loaned at the Self-Service Points on the Ground Floor

What’s changing? 

From Tuesday 16 August

  • loan allowances will be increased 

All undergraduates, taught postgraduates, and associate members will be able to borrow up to 25 books.  

  • increased standard loan period  

We decided that all members of the University Library would benefit from the same 6 week loan period so all standard loans will be issued for 6 weeks, subject to recall. 

  • no more overdue fines (EXCEPT for overdue recalls). 

Overdue fines on items that are not in demand will no longer apply.  

Fines will only be applicable if you receive an email to say an item is recalled, and you do not return the item before the recall date. Overdue fines on term loans will no longer apply nor will fines be charged on overdue periodicals. In other words, apart from late return on recalled items, fines will no longer be charged. 

 

What about Short Loan? 

All Short Loan items (items which were previously overnight loan only) are now available for standard loan.  

Remember, due to changes to loan periods, these items can be borrowed for 6 weeks. A small number of very popular items have been made non-loan and they are shelved in the main collection. Photocopies are also non-loan and are shelved on the Ground Floor in the quiet study area. 

 

What if the item I need is on loan? 

If you’re already worrying that you won’t be able to get hold of the book(s) you need, please don’t – we’ve got that covered!  

If all copies of an item you need are on loan, please place a hold. This will ensure that the item is recalled and alerts us to the increased demand for the item. We have procedures in place which mean, if an increased demand is evidenced, we endeavour to buy further copies.  

By using the Library services and systems that are already in place you’ll find the new loan periods a real enhancement when borrowing print books.   

Remember – keep an eye on your account to ensure that you know  

  • what items you have on loan and  
  • how many you have. 

These improvements, along with keeping an eye on your account, should mean you need never get a Library fine again! 

As always, if you have any questions or wish to provide feedback on these changes, please let us know. 

Your Library Team 

Library open Saturday 13 August

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An image of the outside of the Library building

The second of our summer Saturdays takes place on Saturday 13 August. The Library will be open 8:30 – 17:00 so why not stop by for a visit?

 

Browse our vast range of print materials, find out about our e-resources or discover your new favourite study space. Library members can borrow via the Self-Service Points and our friendly staff will be available to answer your questions.

 

We won’t be able to deal with 1-to-1 subject enquiries but information and guidance is available via our Study Advice and our Subject resources and guidance webpages.

 

Student using a laptop in the Library

Come and make the most of our print resources or maybe find your perfect study spot

 

Please be aware that the IT Service Desk and the Library Café will not be open.

We look forward to seeing you.

 

Your Library Team