Author Archives: Jackie Skinner

Systems upgrade – just online inter-library loan requests to fix

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Computer keyboardWe’ve made more progress with fixing the few remaining issues with the systems upgrade, and it is now possible to login to your online account to view your loans, renew them and place holds.

However, we are still experiencing problems with online inter-library loan requests. If you are a member of staff or a research postgraduate, and you would usually complete an online form to place your request, please print and complete this form and drop it into the Ground Floor Information Desk in the Library. There’s no need to attach a voucher, as we will arrange for payment to be taken from your Department’s inter-library loan account.

Apologies for the inconvenience this will cause.

Jackie Skinner, for Sam Tyler, Systems Manager

Systems upgrade nearly finished…

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Computer keyboardWe are pleased to say that most of our services are back to normal following this week’s system upgrade. It is now possible to…

  • See the current location of an item on the catalogue.
  • Pay any Library fines via the Campus Card Portal.
  • Request items from Closed Access and the Off-site Store.
  • Register with the Library.

However, we are working with IT to resolve some issues. It is still not possible to…

  • Login to your Library account to renew your loans or place holds.
  • Request inter-library loans using the online form.
  • Send you any emails about items which are due for return.

Getting help

We are open this Saturday (20 August) from 11 until 5. So please pop in, or give us a ring on 0118 378 8770, if you have any queries about your account, or would like to renew your loans.

We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause.

Sam Tyler, Library Systems Manager

Systems upgrade next week – some services unavailable

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Sam Tyler grins whilst holding travel mug up to the camera

Systems Manager, Sam Tyler, will be celebrating with a bevy in a branded Library travel mug once the new Library systems server is installed in August

If you are planning to use the Library next week (15-19 August) please be aware that some services will be unavailable whilst we upgrade our Library Management System server. In particular, if you wish to borrow from the Library on Monday 15 August, please issue your books before 4.45pm as the server will be shut down promptly at 5pm.

The Library will still be open but there are a few things you won’t be able to do.

You won’t…

  • Be able to see the current location of an item. So you won’t be able to tell if it has been borrowed. However, you will still be able to see the Call Number, so you can always check the shelf anyway as it might be there, and at the same time browse other books on the same topic.
  • Be able to access your online Library account to renew your loans or pay fines.
  • Get any email reminders of when your books are due. So have a quick check before the 15th in case any of them need returning or renewing.
  • Be able to request items from Closed Access or the Off-site Store.
  • Be able to register with the Library. This includes SCONUL Access registrations.

You will…

  • Still be able to search the Library catalogue, Enterprise.
  • Still have access to all our online resources – so any e-books or e-journals you find on the catalogue will still be available via the ‘Click here to access’ links.
  • Be able to borrow, return and renew items in the Library.
  • Be able to ask any questions at Library Information Desks.
  • Be able to pay fines in person in the Library.

Sam Tyler, Library Systems Manager

Systems upgrade 15-19 August – some services unavailable

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Sam Tyler grins whilst holding travel mug up to the camera

Systems Manager, Sam Tyler, will be celebrating with a bevy in a branded Library travel mug once the new Library systems server is installed in August

This summer we are moving our Library Management System to a new server to give us a more robust, reliable system. During this switch, 15-19 August, there will be some disruption to Library services. The Library will still be open but there are a few things you won’t be able to do.

You won’t…

  • Be able to see the current location of an item. So you won’t be able to tell if it has been borrowed. However, you will still be able to see the Call Number, so you can always check the shelf anyway as it might be there, and at the same time browse other books on the same topic.
  • Be able to access your online Library account to renew your loans or pay fines.
  • Get any email reminders of when your books are due. So have a quick check before the 15th in case any of them need returning or renewing.
  • Be able to request items from Closed Access or the Off-site Store.
  • Be able to register with the Library. This includes SCONUL Access registrations.

You will…

  • Still be able to search the Library catalogue, Enterprise.
  • Still have access to all our online resources – so any e-books or e-journals you find on the catalogue will still be available via the ‘Click here to access’ links.
  • Be able to borrow, return and renew items in the Library.
  • Be able to ask any questions at Library Information Desks.
  • Be able to pay fines in person in the Library.

Sam Tyler, Library Systems Manager

Change to Web of Science default search coverage

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There has been a change to the configuration of Web of Science, which means the default setting is to search the ‘Web of Science Core Collection’ and not the full range of databases available on the site. This change has been made to avoid users missing out on enhancements that are specific to the Core Collection, such as citation searching and email alerts from saved searches. However, you may miss useful content from other databases such as BIOSIS (biological sciences), FSTA (food and nutrition) and MEDLINE (biomedical sciences).

If you access Web of Science directly from a search engine, and you want to revert to searching all content, just select ‘All Databases’ from the drop-down list to the right of ‘Web of Science™ Core Collection’:

Web of Science database selection drop down list

It is possible to configure your own options for using Web of Science, including the default database coverage. See this brief video for guidance.

If you follow a link to Web of Science from the Library website you won’t need to do a thing, as we’ve configured the link to search across all databases. There is a separate link to the Core Collection if you wish to explore some of the more advanced features (such as integration with JCR, funding filters, OA filters).

If you have any questions about searching Web of Science, or any of the databases available within it, please contact your subject liaison librarian.

Jackie Skinner, Library Web Manager

Two new exhibitions to enjoy!

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Art Nouveau-style bookplate of the clergyman Rev. Christie Chetwynd The Special Collections team have put together a couple of new exhibitions featuring materials in the University’s collections.

In the glass cabinets on the Ground Floor of the Library is an exhibition featuring marks of ownership in rare books. Rare books often contain a variety of features which make them important and interesting historical artefacts beyond their texts. This exhibition invites the viewer to explore the private relationship between readers and their books, and the variety of different ways in which book owners (both famous and long forgotten) from the seventeenth to the twentieth century have indicated ownership of their books through the use of bookplates, decorated bindings, inscriptions and annotations. Catch this display until 30 September.

On display at the Special Collections Service until 16 September is a collection of materials relating to the University’s 90th anniversary. The exhibition looks back to the University’s origins as a technical college for the people of Reading, and its journey towards independence. Find out about the men and women from 90 years of Reading’s history who made the University what it is today. The display features items from the University’s own archive, including the Royal Charter itself.

Fiona Melhuish, UMASCS Librarian

 

Library website changes this summer

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At the start of the summer vacation on Monday 13 June we will be making a number of changes to our website and systems.

We’re turning red!

The most obvious change will be in colour, our website and some of our systems will be going red to match the rest of the University.

New, improved online guides

New look LibGuide for agricultureYou will also notice a significant change in the colour and style of our guides hosted on the LibGuides service, as we move to a new version of the software.

At the same time all our subject guides have been revised to make them more attractive, easy to use, and focused on the information you need. Our popular citing references guide has been given a new layout to make it easier for you to find the guidance you require, whether it’s how to cite a specific type of publication, or general advice on avoiding plagiarism.

Over the course of the summer we’ll also be adding new guides, such as a general one on bibliographic management systems, and a suite of guides from our Study Advice Team.

The switch to the new software may mean that our guides will be unavailable for a few hours from late on the afternoon of Monday 13 June.

Study Advice and Maths Support integration

Later on this summer the Study Advice and Maths Support websites will become part of the Library website. This move will give them an up-to-date look, making it easier for you to find the skills guidance you need, and integrating them further with Library services.

Jackie Skinner, Library Web Manager

Restored! Off-campus access to Web of Science and EndNote Web

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We are pleased to say that the problems with off-campus access to Web of Science and EndNote Web have been resolved and you should be able to login to both as normal. If you experience difficulties accessing any of our resources please fill in the E-resources problem report form.

Apologies for the inconvenience this has caused.

Jackie Skinner, Library Web Manager